Thomas J. Vinti

Thomas J. Vinti of Walla Walla passed away surrounded by family on March 6, 2019.

Tom was born July 12, 1962, to Ross P. and Santina C. (Polillo) Vinti, the youngest of five children.  Tom graduated from DeSales High School, where he played football and baseball.  Tom was employed by Stoneway Electric for 33 years, retiring as Walla Walla branch manager January 2019.  In addition to working full-time, he farmed for a number of years raising wheat and providing custom harvesting.  He also enjoyed fishing and hunting with friends.

Tom married the love of his life, Debbie Lesko, on June 12, 1982, Tom was loved by his family and friends for the many quiet acts of kindness he did for them and for strangers.  Many will remember him as “Santa Claus” and he took great pleasure in this.  Tommy never met a stranger and was loved by all.  He was known as “the fixer”, but all our broken hearts is something he won’t be able to fix.

Tom was a lifelong resident of Walla Walla County and was preceded in death by his parents, father and mother-in-law, John and Arlene Lesko.  He is survived by his wife, Debbie; his brothers, Jim, Mike  (Maureen), and Gary (Claudia) Vinti; and sister, Kathy (Danny) Miller; brothers-in-law, John (Rosalie) and Jim (Betty) Lesko; and many other family members including Connie Vinti. Tom was especially close with niece, Molli; and nephews, Bailey and Jack Lesko, and Tony Vinti. Close extended family included niece, Jennifer Genson; and “brothers” Curt, Dave, Greg and Robbie.

Tom was a member of St. Francis Catholic Church, and had served as a Past Grand Knight and Financial Secretary of the Knights of Columbus Michael Flohr Council No. 766.

Viewing and visitation will be held Thursday, March 28, from 2 p.m until after the recitation of the Holy Rosary at 6 p.m. at Herring Groseclose Funeral Home. The celebration of funeral Mass will be at Assumption Catholic Church at 10 a.m. on Friday, March 29, 2019. Interment will follow at Mountain View Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Walla Walla Community Hospice or a charity of the donor’s choice.