Thomas Matthew Taplinger
January 28, 1945 ~ October 24, 2017 (age 72) 72 Years OldShare using:
Thomas Matthew Taplinger, born on January 28, 1945, peacefully passed away surrounded by family and friends on October 24, 2017. Tom was the son of the late Richard Taplinger and Kate Serlin Taplinger. He was born in Cleveland, OH while his dad served in the WWII Pacific theatre of war. Shortly after his dad returned from the war, Tom moved to Nassau County, Long Island, with his parents. His brother, Lee, was born two and a half years later in Garden City, Long Island. Tom graduated West Hempstead High School in 1963 and went on to study at Fenn State University, later to be called Cleveland State University. At CSU, Tom joined the Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity, and those fraternity brothers remained life-long friends up until the end. Following graduation, Tom bravely fought in the army in Vietnam. Tom met his wife, Hyla Moskowitz, through a mutual friend in Cleveland, and they married in 1972. Tom and Hyla started their life in Toledo and had their first child, Robyn, in 1974. Matthew followed in 1976. Tom was an insurance salesman and financial planner, and Hyla was a speech therapist for Toledo Public Schools. After Hyla’s death in 1993, Tom
stayed in Toledo but eventually moved to Ft. Lauderdale in 2010. After retiring, Tom volunteered at the Bonnet House in Ft. Lauderdale, giving detailed and passionate tours. Tom was a dedicated Cleveland Indians and Cavs fan. He also loved college basketball. Tom was an avid traveler and enjoyed spending time with family and friends. He is survived by his children, Robyn (Jeremy) Pearson and Matthew (Sara) Taplinger; grandchildren, Harry and Leo Pearson and Elyse Taplinger; brother, Lee Taplinger and Liz Delahoussaye; brotherin-law, Steve (Sue) Moskowitz and niece, Erin. Tom was preceded in death by his parents and wife. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Cleveland Clinic (Weston, FL) and Bonnet House (Ft. Lauderdale). Services will be on Sunday, October 29, at 1 p.m. at Robert H. Wick/Wisniewski Funeral Home, 2426 North Reynolds Rd. (419-535-5840). Friends can visit with the family after the service at the home of Steve and Sue Moskowitz.
www.wickfh.com