THE WOODLANDS, Texas — Thomas Joseph Guercio Jr., 85, died Saturday, May 6, 2017, ending a long battle with Parkinson’s disease and other health conditions.

Tommy, as friends and family knew him, grew up in Natchez, graduated from Mississippi Southern and entered the U.S. Army where he proudly served. Tommy made his living in the oil field. He eventually opened his own company in Lafayette, where he met his wife of 53 years, Mary Lib Burgin. They had three children, Tina Saims and husband, Paul, Tommy Guercio and wife, Dana Crosby Guercio, and Robert Guercio and wife, Angela Briscoe Guercio.

Seven grandchildren added great joy to their grandparents’ lives — Trent, Colin, and Barrett Saims, Crosby and Diane “Queenie” Guercio, and Magnolia and James Briscoe.

Tommy spent as much time with them as possible, attending their various events and activities over the years. The Guercio home was always filled with kids — their own and their friends and cousins.

Tommy had many interests in life, but family always came first. They gave his life purpose and brought him great happiness. He was an avid sports enthusiast, especially Louisiana State University football, and took great pleasure preparing special Italian dinners for family, friends and clients. He was proud of his Sicilian/Italian ancestry and visited Italy and Sicily a number of times to meet extended family and immerse himself in his cultural history.

The years spent raising their family and helping their company grow in Lafayette were happy ones for Tommy and Mary Lib. Their subsequent move to Florida for a number of years was a very special time in their lives. Tommy loved walking the crystal white Florida beaches with its beautiful water and watching sunrises and sunsets in daily beach excursions. He made time for fishing, enjoying a good beer and reading lots of books of the porch. The last years of Tommy’s life were spent in The Woodlands, Texas, where he was able to devote more time to his children and grandchildren.

Tommy will be remembered by all who knew him for his sense of fun, great stories, love of card games and dominoes, great Italian cooking skills and his passion for LSU football. He was a kind, unselfish person, patient man, generous of heart and always accepted people as they were. He was a great role model for his children and grandchildren. Despite many difficulties coping with Parkinson’s disease in the past 10 years, Tommy never once complained. He will be missed deeply by his wife, children, grandchildren and all who called themselves “Tommy’s friends.” If there is a “football section” in heaven, that’s where he’ll be, rooting for the LSU Tigers and beaming down his sweet smile to his family who loved him so very much.

Tommy was preceded in death by his parents and one sister, Angela Madison.

Survivors include his wife, Mary Lib; three children; seven grandchildren; and two brothers, James Guercio and Sam Guercio and wife, Fay Sledge Guercio.

Donations and flowers are not requested. However, those who wish to make a contribution in Tommy’s memory can consider the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research (michaeljfox.org), Camp Hope (ptsdusa.org) or a charity of choice.