Thomas E. Chidester, Jr., 61, passed away on September 19, 2024 at the Good Samaritan Hospice in Wexford.

He was born on October 2, 1962 in New Brighton, the son of the late Thomas E. and Lucinda G. (Powell) Chidester Sr. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Leslie and Ida Mae (Frederick) Powell, paternal grandparents, George and Alice (Grant) Chidester, nephew, Kaleb Chidester and several aunts and uncles. He is survived by his brothers and sister-in-law: Charles (Les) Chidester, Robert and Mary Chidester, all of New Brighton, nephews: Kent, Bradley, and Charlie Chidester, uncle and aunts, Chet and Joyce Chidester of Kentucky, Peggy Bardocz of Beaver Falls, Sally Powell of Darlington, many cousins and his favorite pupper’s “niece” Piper Ann.

Thomas graduated in 1981 from Riverside High School and worked for over twenty years at Passavant Memorial Homes before leaving in 2019.  He was a longtime member of the Beaver Fall Church of the Nazarene and a member of the Beaver County Mystic Magicians for over thirty years.

He never met a stranger, only a friend he never met before. He would strike up a conversation with anyone, anywhere, anytime.  He loved to make people laugh and would make silly jokes.  His one favorite he always told was that while in church, the Pastor said something along the lines of that God has no Equal, and Tom replied, but God does have Splenda and Sugar.

He could also go on and on about magic/sleight of hand and always wanted to show you a trick or two or three.  He loved performing and didn’t need a microphone as he had a booming voice and a distinctive laugh.  He also talked about the children and young adults from church and the puppet shows he did and helped with.

Thanks are given to the wonderful group of people at Good Samaritan Hospice in Wexford for the loving care as they took care of Thomas.

Friends and family will be received on Thursday, September 26, from 4 p.m. until the time of funeral service at 6 p.m. in the J & J Spratt Funeral Home, 1612 Third Avenue, New Brighton, with his pastor, Joe Schiren, officiating.