Thomas C. Riedman

Thomas Riedman, a life-long resident of Connellsville, passed away peacefully with his family around him on Tuesday, October 24, 2023. Hubert and Geneva (Sandusky) Riedman welcomed Tom into the world on July 25th, 1948. Tom enjoyed all types of sports as a youth, and continued to fill his life with swimming, canoeing, softball, biking, and skiing. Tom graduated from Connellsville Joint High School in 1966 and studied Education at California University of PA, graduating with a teaching degree in 1970. After high school and during college, Tom spent his summers in Ocean City, MD as a beach lifeguard and continued to be a lifeguard in later years at the Linden Hall pool and Pleasant Valley Country Club. Tom spent eight years in the US Army Reserve in the 429th Battalion. Connellsville Area Senior High School employed Tom as a high school English teacher until he retired after more than 35 years of dedicated service as an educator, teaching young people to be lifelong learners and to believe in the power of literacy. Besides teaching, Tom spent many years as the girls’ softball coach and organized the high school ski club. For every Connellsville High School home football game, concluding with 50 years this season, Tom was stationed at the upper stadium entrance taking tickets. Tom was active in his adult life managing a community ski program, teaching life saving classes, and volunteering in the community. He was a 30+ year member of the Professional Ski Instructors of America, placing great value on his own continuing education. In his leisure time, Tom could be found at the South Connellsville Beach, playing on the local recreational softball team, and biking along the Great Allegheny Passage. A lover of live music and rock roll, Tom regularly attended concerts and performances. Tom enjoyed many ski trips with his daughters and instilled in them a love of the outdoors. Tom was always a helping hand to his neighbors, church, and community members. He was always “paying it forward” and hoped that others would be inspired to do the same. His dedication to family and friends will leave a void in our hearts; his love of skiing, biking, South Connellsville Beach, the Youghiogheny River, and the outdoors will long be remembered. Tom is survived by his sister Jennifer Weaver and brother-in-law Robert Weaver of Connellsville, daughters Alexandra of Crested Butte, CO and Isabelle of Pittsburgh and their mother Patricia Morris, granddaughter Althea of Pittsburgh, wife Cynthia of Scottdale, stepdaughter Caran Hayes and husband Chris and their two children Ben and Alex of Pittsburgh, and Robyn Troetschel and husband Donn of Jefferson Hills. Our sincere thanks to our family and myriad of friends who came forward to comfort us and Tom during his recent battle with cancer. Your kind gestures have not gone unnoticed. At this time the family requests no flowers or memorials - only that you carry on Tom’s legacy by helping others and fostering kindness within our community. Tom’s Cremation Arrangements have been entrusted to the Frank Kapr Funeral Home, Inc. 417 Pittsburgh St. Scottdale, Pa. 15683. To view online obituary, send online condolences please visit www.kapr.com

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Thomas C. Riedman, please visit our floral store.