Arsenio Tome

Arsenio Tomé, 96 “Life is a beautiful thing,” he often said during his impromptu philosophy sessions convened around a jug of homemade wine, “but you can’t turn your back on it, compà, that’s the secret; you gotta stay on your toes if you want to live your best life. Well, that, and good red wine, plenty of vinegar, and asiago.” Arsenio “Orson” Tomé, 96, passed away peacefully at home on Thursday, May 30, 2019. Born Aug. 8, 1922 in Holland, Arsenio grew up in the Alpine foothills north of Venice, Italy in the village of Maniago, perhaps most famous as the birthplace of Italian film star Antonio Centa. In his youth, he witnessed the cataclysmic rise of Mussolini, whom he often credited with modernizing Italy despite Il Duce’s somewhat dubious historical legacy. In fact, some of Arsenio’s own compatriots directly contributed to the dictator’s overthrow, a fact he often casually mentioned in conversation, blurring the lines between life and history. After the war, Arsenio was determined to provide for his mother and looked across the Atlantic to make his dream a reality.  With nothing but a few borrowed lira, a heel of bread, and raw ambition, Arsenio emigrated to the United States after the war, where he established himself as a master terrazzo craftsman in Philadelphia.  A longtime member of the Stone Masons’ Union, he was widely praised as a meticulous, tireless artisan. Soon after his arrival in America, he met the love of his life, Marie Altomare of Philadelphia, Pa., with whom he shared 58 years of marriage. A kitchen table philosopher who often resembled a mix between Orson Welles and Federico Fellini, he enjoyed sharing the wisdom garnered over his long life over homemade wine and cheese. An avid winemaker, Arsenio perfected the art by sharing the tradition with his nephews each autumn, a practice they continued until his passing. He also crafted artisanal salami, prosciutto, and cheese seasonally, and enjoyed roasting handpicked chestnuts. A lifelong angler, Arsenio also enjoyed trout fishing and was a longtime member of the Gwynedd Valley Sportsman Club. He was also a charter member of the Venetian Club in Chestnut Hill. A devout Catholic, he was a member of several parishes and often spoke of his reverence for Padre Pio. Arsenio is preceded in death by his parents Augustino and Victoria Tomé and his beloved wife Marie. He is survived by his brother Aldo Tomé, of Maniago, Italy, and sisters Alma Del Tin, of Maniago, and Ada Puglia, of Philadelphia, Pa., as well as many nephews, nieces, great-nephews, great-nieces, and lifelong friends. Funeral services will be held at St. Genevieve in Flourtown, PA. on Wednesday, 5 June 2019 with a viewing 9:30am followed by Funeral Mass at 10:30am and interment at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery. A reception for friends and family will be held at the Venetian Club in Chestnut Hill, Pa.