Saturday, July 26, 2025

Search
 

Obituary

SPARTA, THOMAS A., SR

SPARTA, THOMAS A., Sr. aged 83, formerly of Easton, PA; Midland, MI; Zurich, Switzerland; Athens, Greece; Milan, Italy; Las Vegas, NV and Stone Harbor, NJ, passed away on April 04, 2013 at his home in Stone Harbor, NJ. The son of an immigrant, the late Dr. Anthony J. Sparta and Sara (nee Reed) Sparta, he was born November 11, 1929 in Phillipsburg, NJ. He attended the Easton, PA public schools and graduated from Easton High School in 1947. After graduation from Lafayette College in 1951, he married Irene Foster of Easton, PA and began to work at the Naugatuck Chemical Division of the (then) U.S. Rubber Company prior to joining the National Printing Ink Research Institute at Lehigh University where he earned his M.S. Degree in 1956. After further graduate work at Indiana University and 3 babies (the girls), he joined Dow Chemical Company’s Chemicals Technical Service and Development department. In 1961, he transferred to Dow Chemical Europe in Zurich, Switzerland where he was instrumental in establishing Dow in the European Polyurethane business. The family moved to Switzerland with now 5 children, the youngest just a few months old. In 1964, he established Dow’s first Middle East sales office in Athens, Greece as the regional manager for Dows Middle East operations and the family moved to a small town outside of Athens. In 1966, he was named General Manager of Dow’s Italian operations in Milan, Italy and the family moved again where the next son was born. In 1968 he returned to Dow Headquarters in Midland, MI where for the next 13 years he held various positions in Chemicals and Plastics as business managers, marketing directors, Department General Manager and as the Corporate Product Director for Chemicals. While in Midland, MI another son and the 7th child was born. He coached and managed his sons’ Little League baseball teams for 8 years and served a term as President of the local Little League. In 1980 he returned to Dow Europe in Zurich, Switzerland as Executive Vice President for all commercial operations, marketing, sales and purchasing. He retired from Dow Chemical in 1988 and divided his time between his homes in Las Vegas, NV and Stone Harbor NJ and traveled considerably. He is survived by his wife of nearly 62 years, Irene (nee Foster) Sparta of Stone Harbor, NJ and seven children, daughters: Nancy of Fox Island WA, Patricia and Julia both of Stone Harbor, NJ; sons: Thomas Jr. of Pittsburgh, PA; Michael of Nashville, TN; Daniel of Las Vegas, NV and Joseph of Stone Harbor, NJ. In addition he is survived by 20 grandchildren (Karrie, Sarah, Carly, Erin, Jim, Jessica, Jennie, Eddie, Alex, Mikey, Joey, Brennan, Bevan, Reed, Kyler, Kyra, Riley, Haley, Tommy and Zach) and 8 great-grandchildren (Alexandria, Jack, Seth, Leah, Grace, Sophia, Hannah and Brody); his sister Joan (nee Sparta) Evans of Huntington Valley, PA and many nieces and nephews, all he considered family. He will be missed by so many. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the National Kidney Foundation, 111 South Independence Mall East, Suite 411, Philadelphia PA 19106.

Recent Obituaries

BOWERSOCK, ROBERT After a battle with Alzheimer's, on July 22, 2025, Robert Bowersock “Big Bad Bob” passed away peacefully at home on the bay, surrounded by his loving family and graced with a beautiful sunset to end his final Chapter of Life. Bob was born on January 20, 1940.
July 25, 2025
FONTANOT, NERINA Nerina (nee Delben) Fontanot, age 89, passed away on July 10, 2025, in Havertown, PA. Born on September 4, 1935, in Petrovia, Italy. She is survived by her children: Mario (Chris) Fontanot; Marina Fontanot; grandchildren Haley Richter (Ryan Chudd), Evan Richter, and William Fontanot; son-in-law Sam Richter
July 22, 2025
Flickinger, Raymond A. February 1, 1943-July 2, 2025 It is with profound sadness and deep love that we announce the passing of Raymond A. Flickinger, 82 of North Cape May, NJ and formerly of Philadelphia, PA who departed this world July 2, 2025, surrounded by the family he loved
July 22, 2025
SMITH, RALPH EDWARD Ralph Edward Smith, 75, of North Cape May, NJ, passed away on Sunday, July 13, 2025. Always known as Ed, he was a lifelong resident of Cape May County. He was born on June 25, 1950 in North Wildwood to the late Ralph Earl Smith and
July 22, 2025
DAHL , KATHERINE PATRICIA Katherine Patricia Dahl (formerly Martin) passed away on July 9, 2025, in her home on her favorite island (the Wildwoods) in NJ, at the age of 63. Born on November 5, 1961, in Jersey City, NJ, Katherine infused her life with the love and laughter
July 22, 2025

Check out the new Spout Off!

Most Read

Print Editions

Recommended Articles