Thomas Shealey

Thomas Gordon Shealey, known as Tom or Bummer to those who go way back, was born April 17, 1968 in Pittsburgh, PA to high school sweethearts Gordon and Charmayne M. (Wilson)Shealey. He departed this life April 3, 2025 in his home with his children present.

Tom spent his early years in St. Clair Village, where he was shaped by strong relationships with his extended family. He moved to the Friendship neighborhood in Pittsburgh which is aptly named when thinking of Tom; he made lifelong friends throughout the East End of the city while living there. Tom attended Pittsburgh Public Schools Carmalt Elementary, Friendship Elementary, and Arsenal Middle. In 1986, he graduated from Peabody High School where he was a member of the Highlander basketball team.

Tom attended Indiana University of Pennsylvania for a year and then following in his father and uncles’ footsteps, enlisted in the military. He served in the U.S. Army as an M.P., allowing him to see more of the country and the world. During his service, he was stationed in the state of Georgia, and internationally in Germany and Honduras.

After his military service, he worked at PNC Bank and successor companies for 28 years, most recently as an Account Manager, until his health began to fail. While working, he took classes at Robert Morris University toward his bachelors degree.

Tom was an avid sports fan and enjoyed going to Steelers and Pitt football games with his friends. As a young person, he made his devoted little sister everything from his pitcher to his tackle dummy, instilling a love of sports and toughness in her. This love of sports carried into his adulthood, allowing him to serve his community through working with youth.

He coached his children in sports every chance he got from flag football at the Shadyside Boys Club, to 14th Ward baseball, to AAU basketball. He enjoyed nothing more than watching and teaching his children Alexandra, also known as Alex, Kennedy, Thomas, and Erin Bowens grow and thrive through teamwork and competition. Through sports, he traveled the region with his beloved children, creating memories and instilling countless life lessons through compassion and tough love.

Tom coined the name “Uncle Daddy” because of his love and care for his nieces. He never hesitated to include them at any and every opportunity, including a countless number ofsleepovers. Even when they moved to Illinois, he would travel to support them for everything from graduations to college move-ins. They were his second set of girls and he loved them fully, and they will miss him dearly.

Tom also enjoyed fishing and would go as often as he could. Whether it be a road trip to a lake with his friends or right down on the Allegheny with Uncle Ron or Cousin Wayne, fishing wasone of his favorite pastimes. He was a master at getting a "big catch," and never hesitated to share this joy with friends and family.

Tom was preceded in death by by his grandparents, George H. and Gracie Mae (Vann) Shealey and Lewis T. and Gloria S. (Sneed) Wilson, and his nephew Tariq Felix. Left behind to cherish his memory are his parents, Gordon and Charmayne Shealey and sister Sharene Shealey. Most devotedly, he leaves children Alex, Kennedy, Thomas, and Erin Bowens, his pride and joy, grandson Kairo Bowens, and his nieces, Aneesah Shealey, Nasirah and Salimah Scott, and a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Thomas Shealey, please visit our floral store.