Thomas Robert Diienno

Thomas Robert DiIenno, of Adamstown, MD, died peacefully on October 7, 2017 surrounded by his loving family. Tom was the loving husband of Martha for 61 years; devoted father of Diane, Cathy, Tom, Cindy, and Christi; father-in-law of Kevin, John, Steve, and Andy; doting grandfather to Annie, Kerry, Nick, Mary, LR, Rob, Tim, Ana, Patrick, Sharon, Bridget, Max, Meg, Miriam, Gina, Jake, and Jonathan; great-grandfather to Clara, Ruby, and Drew; and brother of Betty.

Tom was born to George and Philomena DiIenno on December 29, 1933 in Philadelphia, PA. He was graduated summa cum laude from St. Joseph’s College in Philadelphia in 1955, with a degree in accounting. After graduation, he served in the U.S. Air Force as a navigator in the Military Air Transport Service and as an instructor at the Air Force flying school in Harlingen, Texas. He left active service in 1957, but continued his service in the U.S. Air Force Reserve until 1973. After leaving active duty, Tom joined Lybrand, Ross Brothers, and Montgomery as an auditor. In 1959, he was eligible to sit for the CPA exam and was licensed as a CPA. Unsure that accounting was a lifelong passion, Tom took a chance and joined a growing computer firm, International Business Machines. Over the next 22 years, Tom served in various positions within IBM, moving his family many times. In 1969, Tom served as the Controller for Space Systems Center within the Federal Systems Division, overseeing for IBM finances support of the Apollo Space Project in Huntsville, AL. In 1971, Tom became Controller of the Federal Systems Division overseeing many important government projects, including the space project, the Metro Farecard project, and projects for the FAA.

A life-long devout Catholic, Tom became involved in the Catholic Charismatic Movement; and in 1981 decided to leave IBM to concentrate on projects in the service of the Lord. He was a founding partner of the Word Among Us, a Catholic daily devotional magazine which currently reaches over 500,000 readers worldwide. Tom spent many years conducting retreats in Europe, Asia, Australia, and Africa. He also worked to build an outreach ministry (Word Among Us Partners) to serve prisoners, service men and women, college students, and women in difficult circumstances. In recognition of his selfless life of service to others, the Word Among Us honored Tom in 2013 for his daily witness in responding to the Holy Spirit; and for the committed, dedicated, and wise leadership that he provided to the ministry.

Diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease in 2002, Tom nevertheless continued to live life bravely and to its fullest, never complaining, but rather showing great peacefulness, prayerfulness, and dignity. Throughout his life, he served God joyfully without considering the cost to himself.

The family will receive friends at 10 AM on Tuesday, October 10, 2017 at St. Joseph-on-Carrollton Manor Catholic Church in Buckeystown, MD. Following the visitation, a Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 11 AM. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations made to Word Among Us Partners (waupartners.org).