Northborough – With broken hearts we announce the passing of Thomas D. Spataro, 57, of Northborough, beloved husband, father, son, uncle, youth coach, and friend. On June 16, 2024, he lost his courageous battle with esophageal cancer. Born on August 15, 1966, in Brighton, MA, Tom lived a life full of kindness, laughter, and unwavering dedication to his family and community.
He will be lovingly remembered by his devoted wife, Katina, of 28 years; his sons, Michael and Zachary; his mother and stepfather, Shelia and Paul Deffely; sister and brother-in-law, Giovanna and David Sharpe, and their children, Kacey and Kolbey; uncle and aunt, Tim and Esther Murphy, and aunts, Carolyn Judd and De Parker as well as many cousins and extended family and friends around the globe; and Katina’s parents, Lou and Eileen Delegan, and their family.
Tom grew up in Randolph, MA, and graduated from UMass Dartmouth (formally SMU), where he played basketball. He was so proud of being part of a championship hoop team and created lifelong bonds with his teammates who lovingly called him “Spot.” It meant the world to him that his son, Michael, became a recent graduate of his alma mater. Tom’s career began in Finance at Sun Life Financial, transitioned to Harvard University, then Computershare and most recently, Kurtzman Carson Consultants LLC.
First and foremost, Tom was a devoted husband and father. His love for his wife, Katina, and their two sons, Michael and Zachary, defined his life. The deep connection and relationship he shared with Katina was built on a foundation of love and humor, which helped them navigate even the toughest times, including his battle with cancer. There are not enough words to describe how he felt about his sons. He was incredibly proud of them, and despite a demanding job, he was determined to be a part of their lives and coach them in whatever sport they were in — even their one season in soccer. If you know the Spataro boys, you know soccer was not exactly their forte! He wanted to be seen by his boys as the fun parent; however, that had consequences, like the time he went down the Slip ‘n Slide and fractured his ribs, leaving Katina to tend to him AND mow the lawn. His sons will always remember him as a pillar of strength, a source of wisdom, and a constant voice of encouragement in all their endeavors. His presence will be greatly missed not just in their home, but in their hearts.
Tom meant so much to his family, as a loving son, brother, uncle, grandson, and nephew. His family roots were the foundation of his life and helped pave the path to the amazing man he became. Many adventurous road trips were taken with his mom, sister, and grandmother. He was a source of strength and shared a deep and enduring bond with his sister, Giovanna, filled with cherished memories and shared experiences. Tom’s unwavering loyalty to his family left an indelible mark on their lives. He will be remembered for his humor, love, and warmth he brought them.
As an integral part of his community and beyond for many years and on many levels, Tom served on the Town of Northboro Financial Planning Committee, was President of Northboro Youth Basketball, and was President of the Algonquin Regional High School Athletic Booster Club. He co-created a charity called Drive for Dreams that raised funds through a golf tournament for Boston Children’s Hospital. Tom approached each of these roles with dedication and seriousness, elevating their impact through his commitment.
When it came time for mentoring young athletes and fostering their love for sports, Tom’s passion was unparalleled. From the time his children were in T-ball, he coached youth teams throughout the years, and with that came multiple projects that he was determined to get done. He was a steadfast advocate for the new Algonquin Athletic Complex and spearheaded the installation of new basketball courts at the elementary and middle schools. He rebranded the youth basketball program and with Boosters he raised funds, implemented new processes, and revamped the website— the list of his contributions goes on. His true love, however, was coaching, and he wanted to help children learn a few skills in their sport, gain confidence, and, most importantly, teach the values of teamwork, perseverance, and integrity. Coach Tom inspired countless children with his enthusiasm, patience, and commitment. We know he will hold a special place in many young athletes’ hearts.
As a dedicated finance professional in the treasury world, Tom found immense joy and fulfillment in his career. His affinity for numbers was first evident in his elementary years with his mom and sister. When they took road trips, his mom would give him the road maps, and he would calculate the distance and how much gas they would need in his head! His expertise and integrity were evident in every aspect of his work and he was a mentor and trusted advisor to many in the field. Tom took great pride in his role, contributing significantly to the success and stability of all organizations he served.
Tom leaves behind a legacy of many stories and memories. His family and friends are forever grateful for the time they had with him. He will be deeply missed and has left many broken hearts behind, but his spirit will live on in all of us in one way or another. We are all better human beings for knowing and loving him.
“Grief only exists where love lived first.” – Franchesca Cox
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to any of these two wonderful organizations: Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in memory of Tom Spataro to support cancer research and patient care at: Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, P.O. Box 849168, Boston, MA 02284 ( Donate Online Here ) OR to the Tom Spataro Memorial Fund via the Algonquin Athletic Boosters Club ( Donate Online Here ) (Checks should be made out to the Algonquin Athletic Boosters Club c/o Tom Spataro Memorial Fund. Mail to: PO Box 303, Northborough, MA 01532.)
Relatives and friends are invited to visit with the Spataro family from 3:00-8:00 PM on Tuesday, June 25, 2024 at the Britton-Shrewsbury Funeral Home, 648 Main Street, Shrewsbury. His funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, June 26, 2024 at Saint Rose of Lima Church, 244 West Main Street, Northborough, MA.
