Tom was a great boss and a better person. He helped start my career and always supported me. May he rest in peace.
Mr Thomas Paul Boals
Mr Thomas Paul Boals
August 22, 1942 ~ July 6, 2026
Born in:
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Resided in:
Pinehurst, North Carolina
Thomas Paul Boals, 83, of Pinehurst, North Carolina, passed away peacefully on July 6, 2026 surrounded by members of his loving family.
Tom was born in Harrisburg, PA, on August 22, 1942, son to Carmen and Louise Boals. He grew up playing golf and baseball and spending idyllic summers with his cousins at
their cabin in Caledonia State Park, PA. He graduated from Gettysburg College and went on to work for his entire career in the commercial lighting business for Sylvania.
He would humbly tell everyone he sold light bulbs, despite being a District Sales Manager beloved by employees and customers, alike. Tom met Cindy in Buffalo, NY, married and raised their family, and lived for almost thirty years in Orchard Park, NY. He became an avid Buffalo Bills fan and cheered through the glory days of the Jim Kelly
era. He inherited his family’s love of cards and cherished his annual Vegas boys’ trip which started with childhood friends and expanded over the years to include his brother, cousins, sons, and son-in-law. His claims to fame included caddying for President Eisenhower at Gettysburg and getting a hole-in-one on the 5th hole at Pine Valley. After
retiring to Pinehurst, NC, in 2006, Tom and Cindy enjoyed spending time with their six grandchildren, golfing, and making new wonderful friendships, while always maintaining the old ones.
He is survived by his wife, Cindy Tworek Boals; his children Thomas (Holly) Boals, David Boals, Jillian Boals, and Allison (Rohan) Prabhu; and his beloved grandchildren,
Jack, Ella, and Julia Boals, Elijah Boals, and Sejal and Arjun Prabhu; as well as his brother Jack (Tina), and many cousins, with whom he shared so many special
memories.
Tom will always be remembered foremost for his love for his family, his unending positivity, luminous spirit, and warm and generous smile. His family will continue to live
by his advice to “work hard, have fun, and use your common sense.” And of course, Go Bills!
The family will honor and celebrate Tom with a gathering in the coming months. In remembrance of Tom, a donation to one of his favorite organizations would be a fitting
tribute. Meals on Wheels of the Sandhills, Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina, or World Central Kitchen.
Services are entrusted to Powell Funeral Home of Aberdeen, NC.
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August 22, 1942 ~ July 6, 2026
Born in:
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Resided in:
Pinehurst, North Carolina
Mr. Thomas Paul Boals, 83, of Pinehurst, passed away on Monday, July 6, 2026, at Firsthealth Hospice, surrounded by his loving family.
Services are incomplete at this time.
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In memory of Tom.
Dear Cindy,
I was so sorry to hear about Tom. Please know you and your family are in my thoughts. Your devotion and care for Tom was such an inspiration to me, Cindy. Know that I am thinking of you.
Love,
Sandy Bumgardner
Cindy, Jill, Allison, and family members,
So sorry to read about Tom’s passing. You all are in my prayers. May the memories of so many years of love bring you peace.
Fondly,
Susan
Dear Tom and Holly, Cindy and family,
So sorry to hear about Tom Sr. He was a kind, intelligent man and I know he will be missed by many.
Our thoughts go out to you and the grandkids.
Best,
Russ and Stephanie Stokes
It is so sad to hear of the loss of Tom. Tom was without a doubt the most important mentor in my career.
What a great man! God bless you Tom!
Cindy, so sorry to hear of Tom’s passing. I owe my career at Sylvania to Tom. He was a mentor and a true friend. He was also a gentleman’s gentleman. He always made people he met feel at ease because he always made you feel you were important to him. From work, Sabres & Bills games and parties at your house I will never forget what a great person he was.My condolences to you, Dave , Tom Jr. Jill, Allison and all grandkids.
I’m so sorry to hear about Tom. One of the true gentleman I’ve worked with in my career at Sylvania. He never changed and his motto was always work and play hard. I was fortunate enough to get invited to the Bills famous comeback game in ‘93 against Houston. I may have left if it wasn’t for Tom. He was always positive and I’ll never forget him saying at halftime… “there’s a lot of football left”.
God Bless Tom and the Boals family. 🙏
Go Bills!
Cindy and family, Since 1980, when Tom hired me and got us out of NYC and back to Pittsburgh when Lucinda was pregnant with our now 45 year old son, Lucinda has always said that “Tom changed our lives!” Which he did! I couldn’t have worked for a better Sales Manager in the early stages of my career, and I have always been thankful and grateful for that. We’ve remained good friends over the years, and I always looked forward to seeing him on my trips to Pinehurst. So glad that we were able to get together with him just this past November! I am sure that you all miss him, but you know that he is now in a better place. Not sure how, but I hope to be made aware of the memorial service once you have scheduled it. May God bless you all. Mark Deese
Cindy, Tom, Holly, Jill, and Allyson,
I was deeply saddened to hear of Tom’s passing. Like so many of us from the old SYLVANIA family, I owe a great deal of my career and professional growth to Tom. He was an exceptional mentor, leader, and friend whose influence touched countless employees, customers, and colleagues. He earned not only our respect, but also our admiration and affection.
Tom had a remarkable ability to bring people together, and his impact was evident throughout his career. In fact, he may be the only person I know who was celebrated with two retirement parties, first upon retiring from GTE Sylvania and then again from Osram. That speaks volumes about how much he meant to the people around him.
Having lived in OP for several years and worked alongside him in the same office, I also had the privilege of seeing another side of Tom. Beyond his professional accomplishments, he was a devoted husband, father, and family man. It was always clear how much each of you meant to him and how proud he was of his family.
While Tom’s loss is deeply felt, I take comfort in knowing that his legacy will live on in the lives he touched, the careers he helped shape, and the memories shared by all who knew and loved him. He leaves behind an example of leadership, kindness, and character that will not be forgotten.
Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with all of you during this difficult time.
With deepest sympathy,
Mike