Thomas Russell Comella

Thomas Russell Comella, 82, of Abilene passed away peacefully at home on Friday, December 2, 2016. Visitation will be held from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm on Monday, December 5th at The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road, with a Rosary to follow at 7:00 pm. Funeral services will be held at 3:00 pm on Tuesday, December 6th at Holy Family Catholic Church with Father Fred Nawarskas officiating. Burial with full military honors will follow at Elmwood Memorial Park. Tom was born in Buffalo, New York to Matthew and Anna Comella on August 16, 1934. He married Mary Ortolano on February 15, 1957 in Rome, NY. He served as an officer in the US Air Force for 20 years as a B-52 pilot, earning numerous awards, including the Distinguished Flying Cross for his service in Vietnam. Following his retirement from the Air Force, Tom worked at CG Conn, WMI, and Wylie. Tom is survived by his loving wife, Mary Comella, sister Nini Zimmerman, brother Matthew Comella, daughter Dawn and her husband Bill Smith, son Thomas II and his wife Jennifer, and grandson Thomas III and many nieces and nephews. Pallbearers will be Bruce Migilori, Joe Ortolano, Thomas Comella II, Roger Basquette, Thomas Comella III, and Matthew Ortolano. The family requests that in lieu of flowers that donations may be made to Hendrick Hospice Care, 1651 Pine Street, Abilene, Texas 79601.