Thomas Joseph Aglio
Thomas Joseph Aglio of Winter Park, FL passed away January 29, 2023, at the age of 91. Born in 1931 in Boston, Tom was a proud “Triple Eagle”, as a graduate of Boston College High School, Boston College, and the B C Graduate School of Social Work. The strong influence of Jesuit Ignatian values permeated his work during his extensive career in Medical Social Services, and later his role as the Executive Director of Catholic Charities of Central Florida, which he founded in 1962.
If you were to ask Tom his occupation, he would always answer that he was a Social Worker. Indeed, Tom began his career as a Social Worker in several hospitals in Albany, NY and Worcester, MA. This included being an Assistant Professor at Albany Medical College. In 1962, at the age of 30, his career trajectory changed when he was called to become “Padre Segundo” to a group of teenage exiles from Cuba as part of what was known as Operation Pedro Pan. For a year, Tom was a mentor to a group of 60 boys brought to this country by the Catholic Welfare League in Miami at the height of Castro’s revolution. He helped them become acclimated to their new country and get placed with foster families. Tom went so far as to open his own home to foster for a time.
From this assignment, Tom was charged with establishing what became Catholic Charities of Central Florida. Starting operations out of his own home with a nominal budget, he grew the agency over the course of 40 years to encompass social programs across nine counties, serving more than 70,000 Central Floridians a year of all denominations and walks of life. Programs Tom developed and oversaw included adoption services, food pantry services, family counseling services, financial assistance, immigration assistance, and many others.
Tom lived by the creed of being A Man for Others. His many accolades that resulted from living by that creed include the Boston College Alumni Award of Excellence. Additionally, Tom was awarded The St. Ignatius Award from B C High, the highest honor bestowed upon an alumnus. Above all, he viewed receiving the Pro Ecclesia Et Pontifex medal, one of the highest honors the Holy Father can confer on any member of the Church, as validation of his life’s work.
Tom’s passion for serving others extended to all aspects of his life. He was always up for an adventure, be it hot air ballooning or white water rafting, even into his 80s. Tom loved to cook, rarely following a recipe, inventing new combinations as he went. He often shared the bounty of his kitchen with his family and neighbors, especially those he felt needed a home cooked meal. He will be remembered as a master of surprises, a consummate gift-giver, and an incurable tease. He loved to give an unexpected gift and enjoyed the happiness it would bring even more than those who received his generosity. He frequently carried “care packs” containing fresh socks, toiletries, and snacks in his car to give to those less fortunate who he would encounter in his travels. Later in life, Tom put together about two dozen car caravan cruising events for those who enjoyed and admired Ford Thunderbirds. His passion and enthusiasm knew no limit.
Of all his accomplishments and the countless lives he has impacted throughout his lifetime and career, Tom was most proud of his family who he loved dearly, as they loved him. He was his happiest at the always lively family dinner table surrounded by his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren, which happened often. Thomas Aglio was A Man for Others.
Thomas Aglio is preceded in death by the love of his life, his wife Margaret, and his sons Paul and Stephen. He is survived by 7 children, Susan Hatchett (Martin), Teresa Earnest (George Furse), Mariana Thorn (Robin), Betsy Christy (Carl), Philip Aglio (Susanna), Kathleen Lewis (Brian), James Aglio (Kimberly), as well as 13 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren.
The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. on Friday, February 17, 2023, at St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church, 526 N. Park Avenue, Winter Park, FL 32789 with a prayer service at 7 p.m.
The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Saturday, February 18, 2023, at St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church. The family will host a reception following the service. The committal and interment will take place at 3 p.m. at Woodlawn Memorial Park, 400 Woodlawn Cemetery Road, Gotha, FL 34734.
In lieu of flowers, please make charitable donations to: Catholic Charities of Central Florida, https://cflcc.org/donate/ or Boston College High School https://www.bchigh. edu/give