Joseph Thomas McNulty “Tom or Joe” was born on June 7, 1943 in Lock Haven, PA. He was called Home on December 22, 2023, at Indiana Regional Medical Center. He was the son of John and Janice McNulty of Brockway, PA.
Tom graduated from Brockway High School in 1962. During his time at BHS, he excelled in basketball, baseball, and chasing wild women. Tom was drafted into the US ARMY in 1965. He thankfully returned home after a year of duty. It has been said that longtime MLB pitcher Sparky Lyle once remarked, “I got drafted into the MLB, and poor Tom McNulty got drafted to Vietnam.” Tom married the love of his life, Alexandria Betteto of Homer City, PA after numerous dances that Jim and Nancy Racchini of Blairsville, coaxed them into attending in the 1970’s.
From 1974 to 1985, Sandy and Tom added three beautiful children to their wolfpack. Throughout his life, after returning home from the service, Tom had numerous professions. He was the President of the Workers’ Union when he was employed by Season All. He later became a coal miner, like many of Western Pennsylvania’s young men, with the United Mine Workers of America until an injury forced him into retirement. Tom’s part time jobs included manning the All Washed Up Auto Spa in Indiana (which still to this day hasn’t seen anyone the likes of Tom. He knew every customer, and bragged about his children to them all). He also ran the scoreboard for basketball and volleyball at Homer-Center High School for a large portion of his later years.
Tom cherished his family. Anne (John) Rowley of Monroeville, Pa is and always will be his princess, Brian (Ashley) McNulty of Homer City, Pa was his MVP at the times he needed him most, and Doug (Alissa) McNulty of Blairsville, Pa was his best batboy, ever. Tom’s love for his grandchildren will be forever cherished. Mackenzie Stanick of Homer City, Pa, Jackoby and Alexander McNulty of Homer City, Pa and Ryp McNulty of Blairsville, Pa love and will greatly miss their Pappy. Tom was the oldest of four children. He loved his Brother Cinders (John) McNulty of Dubois, PA, and Bridget (Phil) Swartzlander of North Richland Hills, TX, up until his final breaths.
Tom’s other hobbies and interests included watching golf (specifically Tiger Woods), coaching Homer City Tire Junior Legion Baseball, watching the Steelers, attending Brockway Litts Reunions, holding numerous well-sought-after elected resident positions at Beacon Ridge Nursing Home, Notre Dame Football, Indiana Hoosier Basketball (only when Bobby Knight Coached), learning how to FaceTime his children and grandchildren, mastering FaceBook, traveling to Akron and Johnstown for baseball games, watching his grandchildren play sports, Brian’s cunning humor, and Anne’s ability to always see the positive side of life.
Tom still frequently communicated with all of his nieces and nephews. Mike (Ruthie) Swartzlander (children Jack and Avery) of Golden, Co and Brad (Heather) Swartzlander (children Evelynn, Rhett, and Skylar) of North Richland Hills, Tx. Patrick McNulty of Dubois, PA. Emily (Steve) Pyser (children Sam, Becca, and Henry) of Arlington, VA; Amy (Jeff) Zampi (children Ben, Emma, and Maggie) of Ann Arbor, MI, and Jillian (Eric) Startare (children Jacob, Alex, John, and Mia) of Washington, Pa. Tom is preceded in death by his wife Alexandria McNulty, parents John and Janice McNulty, daughter-in-law Ashley McNulty of Scranton, PA, and niece Audri Jane McNulty of Dubois, PA, as well as his beloved dogs Wendy, Mitzy, Sparky, Muffin, Porter, and Samson.
In closing, Tom told baseball stories that many questioned, but at a Pirates versus Dodgers game in the 90’s that Tom and Doug attended, all those stories were vindicated. Tom yelled to Dodgers first base Coach Reggie Smith, “Tell Tommy, Tom McNulty says hi.” The next inning, Reggie Smith brought baseballs out and signaled Doug over. “Mr. Lasorda wants you to know that if your dad were younger, or a lefty, he would have pitched in the majors!” he told Doug.
