Thomas P. Sherlock passed away December 26, 2007, in State College, PA.  Tom was a resident of Akron for 21 years.  Tom was born in Philadelphia, PA on November 17, 1944, to Thomas and Mary Sherlock.

A native of Philadelphia, PA Tom was a graduate of West Catholic High School.  Tom earned a BS in Metallurgical Engineering at Drexel University in 1967, and a MS in Materials Science at Drexel University in 1969.  Tom began his career as an engineer in the power generation industry, in 1969, with Westinghouse Electric in Philadelphia, PA.  In 1984, Tom moved to Akron and began working with the Babcock & Wilcox Company in Barberton, OH.  In 1988, he joined Structural Integrity Associates, Inc. an engineering consulting firm based in San Jose, CA.  He founded the Fossil Plant Operations Group in Akron, OH.  This group grew to multiple locations throughout the United States.  Their reputation for assessing aging power plants using risk-based assessments and economic evaluation of options is second to none.  Tom retired from Structural Integrity Associates in 2006.  He was a highly qualified professional with extensive experience and expertise in disciplines related to prevention and control of structural and mechanical failures which earned him an international reputation.  He composed over 40 technical publications relating to the power generation industry.  He was a member of Mensa and the holder of two patents.

Irish through and through, Tom’s gift of Blarney will be missed.  His conversation was richly narrative, intellectual and always had a sparkle of wit.  When remembering Tom, most will see him sitting in a bar stool with a beer in his hand.  Here is where the best conversations, debates and much laughter took place.  Many friends enjoyed the wonderful meals he cooked.  Penn State University and Joe Pa have lost one of their greatest fans.  No one will forget Tom Sherlock’s signature Chuck Taylors.  Here's to Tom; life was grand!

Tom was preceded in death by his parents, brother John and sister Helen.  He is survived by his sisters Mary (Jim) Bickley and Cathy (Pete) Lanshe, and brother Joe (Pat).  He was devoted to and is survived by his children Jennifer (Steve) Meengs, Allyson, Scott (Lisa) Cooper and Kevin Cooper.  His greatest joy was his grandchildren Matthew and Meredith Meengs.  He is also survived by two grand ladies, Alicia and Jackie, who hold him in the highest regard for the man and father he was.

Cremation has taken place.  Friends may gather at Arnie's Standing Room Only, 1682 W. Market St., Akron, OH for an Irish Wake that will take place beginning at 4 p.m. on Saturday, January 12, 2008.  Memorial donations may be made to The Lupus Foundation or the West Akron Baseball & Softball League (WABL) at P.O. Box 5751, Akron, OH 44372 or http://www.WABL.org.