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302-478-7100 Wilmington & Hockessin, DE

Thomas P. Fidance

Thomas P. Fidance, age 96 of Wilmington, DE passed away peacefully on Monday, March 20, 2023.

Born in Wilmington in 1926, Tom was the son of the late Michael J. and Splendora (DiSabatino) Fidance. He married Marie Salvatore in 1952, and they recently celebrated 70 years of marriage in August 2022.

Tom attended the University of Delaware, Carnegie Institute of Technology, and graduated from Drexel Institute of Technology in Philadelphia, PA with a major in Architecture. He was a member of Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity and a WWII veteran.

After obtaining his degree, he worked for several local architects before starting his own firm, Waymon and Fidance Architects in 1966.

Tom volunteered at the Ministry of Caring, belonged to the Board of Managers at the YMCA, and was an avid collector of stamps and coins.

Tom is survived by his wife Marie (Salvatore), three daughters, Celeste Fornicola (Bill), Michele Fidance, and Niki Smith (Mark), and a step-granddaughter Dana Fornicola. He is also survived by his brother Ernest Fidance (Mary Jo) and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his son, baby boy Fidance and two sisters, Marie (Fidance) Fortunato and Betty (Fidance) Russo.

The family would like to thank his long time physician Dr. Jerry Gluckman, and his caregivers Kyh, Monae, Pressley, and Kia who cared for him during his recent illness.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to St. Anthony of Padua Church or The Ministry of Caring.

Funeral Services

Services will be on Wednesday, March 29, 2023 at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church,  901 N. duPont Street, Wilmington, DE 19805 with a viewing from 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM and a Mass of Christian Burial beginning at 12:00 PM. Interment will be immediately following at the chapel in Cathedral Cemetery, 2400 Lancaster Ave, Wilmington.

Condolences

    Linda & Louis lit a candle and writes,
    So very sorry for your loss Mrs . Fidance & family. We will miss all the photos of your Dad Celeste ! Sending prayers & love . Love Linda & Louis Damiano
    03/23/2023 05:29 pm
    Faye Smith Giguere lit a candle and writes,
    My heartfelt condolences to the entire Fidance family. I have very fond memories of growing up down the street from you in Augustine Hills. Rest in peace, Mr. Fidance.
    03/23/2023 08:05 pm
    Sandy Cleal lit a candle and writes,
    Very sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you. God Bless.
    03/24/2023 08:05 am
    Alexis Ciconte writes,
    Marie, So sorry for your loss. I know you have many happy memories that will in time put a smile on your face. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family Alexis & Tom Ciconte
    03/24/2023 09:54 am
    Angela lit a candle and writes,
    My family is near all of you in this sad moment even if far away, we are all there with our love. Mimì, Silvana, Giovanni and Angela
    03/24/2023 11:40 am
    Ken Dill lit a candle and writes,
    Tommy was a great guy and lived a long and loving life and was a blessing to all those who knew him. My love goes out to all the family.
    03/24/2023 01:18 pm
    Lisa Lynch lit a candle and writes,
    Michele and family My deepest sympathy goes out to you and family, Holding your mom, you and your siblings, up in my prayers for comfort and peace as your sweet dad is at rest from all pain and suffering in the living arms of our Heavenly Father Love you Lisa
    03/24/2023 01:37 pm
    Sebastian Di Mauro Denis Chandler lit a candle and writes,
    Our sincere condolences to the Fidance Family. Tom was a wonderful man gentle, kind and warm with a great sense of humor. He will be missed.
    03/24/2023 09:57 pm
    Michael Mulvena lit a candle and writes,
    Remembering many fond memories and sending prayers to the entire family. You were a good and very decent man. Thank you for the kindness shown to me.
    03/25/2023 12:13 pm
    Leslie Briel lit a candle and writes,
    Dear Marie, Girlfriend Michele, Celeste, Niki and Mark, sending you my deepest sympathies, love and prayers. Tom was an exceptional man with many talents and an unforgettable sense of humor! Over the last 30+ years I was privileged to be included in your family. The warmth and love will always be with me. Leslie Hackney Briel
    03/26/2023 12:24 pm
    Debbiann m Buchler writes,
    Dear Celeste, Michelle, And Niki, I am so sorry to see this. I am thinking of you and praying OUR LORD gives you peaceful resolve. Both of my parents are gone and I will tell you that some say it gets better. I have found that it gets no better, just different.
    03/26/2023 12:28 pm
    William R Fornicola writes,
    My heart is truly sad. A gentle man who loved family, friends and life. Tommy’s memory will live forever. God Bless to all his family.
    03/26/2023 04:51 pm
    Robert (Bob)Piane Jr lit a candle and writes,
    Dear Mrs. Fidance, Michelle, Celeste and Niki. I am so sorry for your loss. Tom was such a wonderful man as you, and anyone who has ever met him knows. I am reminded of him daily and fondly because he designed the large and special addition to our home over 35 years ago. I mean who else could have designed the perfect 2,000 sq, ft addition with a fully sound proof 1,000 sq.ft dance studio with full living space upstairs and attach it perfectly to our original home that was over 200 years old at the time and make it all match? Tom was a brilliant architect. So, now he is likely having good times again hanging around with his good friends, especially my mom and dad. Please accept my sincere condolences and apologies for not being able to attend the services.
    03/26/2023 06:52 pm
    Br. Ronald Giannone, OFM Cap. writes,
    To Marie and the Fidance family from the Ministry of Caring 'family': We are holding you close in thought and prayer during this very sad time. May your memories of joyful family times bring you comfort and may God's love give you strength and peace. We are grateful for Tom's caring for the poor and for his loving contributions of time and talent to the Ministry of Caring. Thank you for sharing him with us. We also thank you for remembering Tom's life of love of family, architectural talent and service to others by caring for the poor as he did. Psalm 73:26 "My flesh ad my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." Br. Ronald Giannone, OFM Cap.
    03/28/2023 11:18 am
    Edie Dutcher lit a candle and writes,
    Tom lived a long blessed life and was a blessing to so many as he left his loving footprint on so many over the years. He was a beloved husband and father and will missed dearly. May his spirit live on Love Edie
    03/28/2023 08:01 pm

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