Thomas J Stern

Thomas Joseph Stern went to be with Jesus on October 23rd, 2023, surrounded by loving family after a 10 year-long battle with prostate/bone cancer caused by exposure to Agent Orange in Vietnam. He was 76 years old. Tom was born on February 22nd, 1947, in Meadville, PA to Albert Stern and Georgia Lindsay Stern in 1949. His mother died, leaving his sister Mary, age 7, his brother bill, age 5, and Tommy, age 2. The family moved to live with his paternal grandmother Catherine Stern-Trebes in Mount Lebanon, PA where he was raised. He went to Saint Bernard's Elementary School/Church in Mount Lebanon where he celebrated all his sacraments. He attended Mount Lebanon High School and graduated in the class of '65. At the age of 19, he was drafted on August 2nd, 1966. Tom's basic training was at Fort Jackson, SC. AIT at Fort Bragg, NC, and TDY at Fort Stewart, Georgia. He was an Artillery Ballistic Meteorological Weatherman at Fort Sill, OK. He volunteered for a special mission to construct and gather data used by Marine and Army Artillery Units to locate N Vietnamese Artillery and Infantry Units along the DMZ in the I-Core region of South Vietnam. This barrier of sensing devices and fire bases located along the DMZ was called McNamara's Wall. Tom left Fort Bragg on a C-141 Starlifter plane in early fall 1967. He landed in DaNang, South Vietnam and several days later his unit 'C Battery', second TAB 26th artillery, XVIII Airborne Corps joined the Marine Convoy up Highway 1 to Dong Ha Base Camp near the DMZ. 'C Battery' was assigned as a support group for artillery units in I-Core and was under the command of the 108th artillery group. Tom alternated between Base Camp Dong Ha and Fire Base Gio Linh until late April or early May 1968, until he received orders that his mission was completed, and he returned to Fort Bragg. Tom was stationed at Gio Linh during their TET offensive in January 1968. Tom attained the rank of specialist 5th class and was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, and qualified as Sharpshooter with - M-16Bar. Tom received an honorable discharge from the military on August 1st, 1968. When Tom got home, he worked as a Draftsman for Westinghouse Elevator Division in Pittsburgh. Later he owned and operated Sterns Auto Restoration in Pittsburgh. On July 22nd, 1972, he married Anita Hakanson at Saint Pamphilus Church in Beach View. They moved to Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania where she taught school, and he managed Ron's Auto Body for 34 years. He also worked in The Body Shop of the Volkswagen Plant in New Stanton, PA for 14 years. He dearly loved their four children Angel Stern, Vonnie Stern-Kneberg (Rob), Tommy Stern, Monique Chouquer (Bruce). Also, beloved by Tom are his six beautiful grandchildren which include Destiny Angel (Angel), Lillian, Emily, and John Kneberg (Vonnie and Rob), and Nixon and Knox Chouquer (Monique and Bruce). Tom resided in Greensburg, PA due to his Auto Body Management job, while Anita and the family resided in Las Vegas where she taught for 10 more years. They flew back and forth until he retired and moved to Las Vegas. On July 22nd, 2023, Tom and Anita celebrated their 51st Anniversary. On October 23rd, 2023, he went to be with Jesus. He was an artist at body work and vehicle restoration. He had the amazing ability to diagnose over the phone what someone's "funny noise" could be caused by and he was always right. His boss, Ron, said he could do anything and fix anything. Punctuality and dependability were second nature to Tom. It was said that you could set your watch by him. He had old-fashioned, blue-collar values, honesty, love, kindness, dependability, patriotism, and an unmatched work ethic. He was the go-to person in our family when there was a problem. He was a compassionate listener and people knew that they could depend on him for wisdom and help. He was also a lender, not a borrower - often having others keep what they had borrowed. Whether repairing a car or helping with the problem he gave 100% without expecting anything in return. The Golden Rule led his life. He was a beloved friend and neighbor who preferred to error on the side of kindness. He was also hilarious. He naturally came out with one-liners that kept people in stitches. He was an old-fashioned gentleman - moonlight, roses, dancing to oldies, keeping the wife on a pedestal, sweet gestures - he was all of that and more. He opened car doors and pulled-out his wife's chair for 51 years until she had to do those things for him. He loved animals and they loved him. His beloved cat, Jasmine, thinks she's a person! He adored the seasons, auto body, and gardening. He created Anita's Rose Garden for his wife. He also custom painted three Mustangs for her. He planted flowers, vegetables, and fruit trees. Tom was also a fantastic chef, wowing people with a mean lasagna, grilled steak, apple pies to-die-for, mouth-watering barley soup, and delicious cookies. He would make a juicy Thanksgiving Turkey Dinner and send it all home with family. Wood working was also a joy to him. He made everything from jewelry boxes to wall clocks, to toddler furniture, to tables, stools, desks, and a wall-size book case. He loved the Golden Oldies and listened to the Frankie Day Show on the radio, often requesting an anniversary song for his wife. He took her on the Gateway Clipper Captains Cruise for every Anniversary where they dined, had a tour, and danced to oldies. The 50th Anniversary was exceptionally unforgettable. He was also an avid Steelers, Pirates, and Penguins fan. He watched Mash, Everybody Loves Raymond, Counting Cars, car repair shows, woodworking, and football. He loved blessing people. He was truly one in a million and there will never be another one. His friends say he was the best friend they had on this Earth. He was a loyal, protective husband, father, and friend whose feelings ran deep. Tom was preceded in death by his mother, Georgia Lindsey-Stern, his grandmother Catherine Stern-Trebes, his infant sons - Daniel and Troy Stern, his father Albert Stern, his stepmother Hildegarde Stern, and numerous Aunts, Uncles, Nieces, and Cousins. Tom is survived by his loving wife of 51 years Anita Hakanson-Stern, his loving daughters Angel, Vonnie (Rob), Monique (Bruce), and loving son, Tommy. He is also survived by his six grandchildren Destiny Angel (Angel), Lillian, Emily, and John Kneberg (Vonnie and Rob), and Nixon and Knox Chouquer (Monique and Bruce). He is also survived by a sister Mary McIntyre (Don & Donnie) and a brother William Stern (Amy, Billy, and Michelle). Also, numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews. Also, his dear cherished friends Earl Pernick (Terri), Jim Grimes (Sue), and Ron Sidehamer (Jean). He is also survived by his beloved cat, Jasmine, and precious dog, Honey. Tom was The Love of My Life, and our children's hero. He was my Knight in Shining Armor, and their Superman. Every day with him was a gift and we treasure every minute we had him. We know he's in Heaven, rejoicing with The Lord. But, here on Earth, he will be sadly missed forever. The viewing, funeral, and miliary ceremony will be private, at Tom's request. God Bless you for your love and prayers.

Thomas J Stern

February 22, 1947 - October 23, 2023