Thomas Chimento Obituary

Thomas Chimento

Mt. Pleasant - Thomas Michael Chimento, known to all as Tom, passed away on March 21, 2026, in Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina, just one day shy of his 93rd birthday. Born on March 22, 1933, in Brooklyn, New York, Tom lived a long, beautiful life filled with love, laughter, and service to others.

Tom graduated from Kings Point Merchant Marine Academy in 1956 and went on to serve in the Navy as a Lieutenant. His career took him from the Charleston Naval Shipyard, where he worked from 1962 to 1979, to Subic Bay, Philippines, with the Department of Defense from 1979 to 1981, and finally to Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, where he worked until his retirement in 1993. He was a hard worker in every sense of the word, and he carried that dedication into everything he did.

Tom was a prankster who loved to laugh, and his kindness and generosity touched everyone he met. He loved his large extended family fiercely especially his many cousins, nieces, and nephews. Tom was passionate about sports. The TV in the Chimento household was always tuned to a game, and his children had no choice but to love sports right along with him. He was especially devoted to the South Carolina Gamecocks, cheering on the football, baseball, and basketball teams, with a particular soft spot for the Lady Gamecocks.

Tom was preceded in death by his parents Louis and Mary Chimento, his beloved siblings, Louise, Frank, Mildred, and Annmarie, his beloved wife, Cecilia, with whom he shared 67 years of marriage, and his son, Christopher Claude Chimento.

He is survived by 6 children - Robert Chimento, Barbara Chimento Mays (Kieran), Thomas Chimento Jr (Rochelle), Teresa Smith, Mary Chimento Zard (Michael), Francis Chimento, his 7 grandchildren Caroline, Cecilia, Logan, John, Paul, Frankie, and Michael, his 4 great grandchildren Laela, Dominic, Donavan, and Liam, and his loyal friend and caregiver Susan Griffiths.

A devout Catholic, Tom's proudest achievement was serving as Project Manager during the building of his beloved St. Benedict's Catholic Church after retirement, though his family and friends were always his greatest love. He preached love and forgiveness throughout his life, and he lived those values every single day.

Tom lived an incredible life. At the age of 13 he attended Jackie Robinson's first baseball game with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947. He attended Queen Elizabeth's Coronation in 1953 while he was a Midshipman for the Merchant Marines. He traveled all over the world until he met his lifelong partner while stationed in Charleston SC. She was his little yellow rose of Texas

As Tom always said, "Love is the most important gift from God, but you can't have true love without forgiveness."

Information on services to follow.

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