Thomas M. Minchin

Thomas (Tom) M. Minchin, 72, of Harrisburg passed away on Wednesday morning at Hershey Medical Center. Born on June 29,1947 in Manhattan, NY to the late Michael J. Minchin and Margaret T. (Burke) Minchin. He was also preceded in death by a sister, Elizabeth Minchin Holton.

Tom was a graduate of Xaverian High School, Brooklyn, NY. Tom served as Class and School President his Senior year. Tom graduated from Long Island University. Tom also worked for Macy’s and other establishments in New York City. Toms was a Boy Scout for over 50 years, starting as a scout in Brooklyn, NY. As an adult he worked for the Boy Scouts of American, New York Council and at Ten Mile River Camp. He also served as the Scout Master for a Special Needs Troop in Brooklyn, NY. Tom received the District Award in NY and PA. He also received the Silver Beaver Award while in New York. Upon moving to Pennsylvania, he joined Troop 206 in Hershey and quickly became involved in the troop, district and Keystone Council. Tom also worked for the American Red Cross in New York City, serving Small Boating Specialist and then as Assistant Director for Safety Services. Upon first moving to Pennsylvania he worked for the Harrisburg Area Chapter of the American Red Cross. He retired from the Red Cross. He also worked for Morgan-Stanley, as Executive Director for American Veterans (AmVets). He worked for the Disabled American Veteran (DAV) and then retired.

Entering Parris Island, SC in July 1965, Tom Minchin has remained a Marine for the past 53 years of his life. He served during the Vietnam War era and is medically retired from the U.S. Marine Corps. Tom is a Life Member to seven Congressionally Chartered Veterans organizations to include,

• Disabled American Veterans (DAV) – Elected as District #4 Commander; served as Department Adjutant /Member and current Commander to West Shore Chapter #50

• The American Legion (TAL) – Elected as Dauphin County Chaplain / Appointed as 19th District Deputy Commander / Member and past Commander to Hershey Post #386/ in Brooklyn, NY he was a member and past Commander of Amity Post #

• Marine Corps League (MCL) – Elected as National Chaplain for the Military Order of the Devil Dogs / Appointed as Assistant National Chaplain, Chair to National Chapel of the Four Chaplains / Chair to National Boy Scout Committee / National Northeast Division Chaplain / Member and past Commandant to P.W. Milano Detachment #299

• Navy League of the United States – Member to Harrisburg Council

• American Veterans (AMVETS) – Past Executive Director for Department of Pennsylvania / Member to Rutherford Post #286

• Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) / Member to Chapter 542

• Fleet Reserve Association (FRA) – Trustee to Branch #106, Harrisburg, PA


• Navy Club of the United States of America (NCUSA) – Elected National Commandant/Elected National Chaplain / PA Squadron Chaplain / Past National Executive Secretary / PA Squadron Chaplain/ Lancaster Ship #166 Paymaster

Tom Minchin served as a Veterans’ Advocate and devotes his volunteer efforts as a member of the PA War Veterans Council as a representative for the Navy Club USA, as well as member to the Indiantown Gap National Cemetery Memorial Council, while serving as Honor Guard member of the Marine Corps League.

Tom has been awarded the Legion of Honor Award and Humanitarian Award from the Chapel of the Four Chaplains Memorial Foundation, for the principles of selfless service to humanity without regard to race, creed, ethnicity or religious beliefs.

Surviving are his wife, Sydney E. (Sellers) Minchin; a daughter and her husband, Cindy Ann and Louis Petrocelli of Freehold, NJ; two brothers, Michael Minchin of Brooklyn and Paul Minchin of Bronx, NY; three grandchildren, Louis, Dante and Christianna Petrocelli; four nieces and two nephews.

Memorial services will be held at 12 PM on Monday at Parthemore Funeral Home and Cremation Services, New Cumberland. Inurnment with full military honors will be at 2 PM at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, East Hanover Twp.

Visitation at the funeral home will be held from 10:30 until the time of services.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are requested to Marine Corps League National Scholarship Program, (https://www.mclnational.org/marine-corps-league-programs.html), Marine Corps League Scholarship Committee, c/o David R Hatfield, 925 Crest Ct., Seymour, TN 37865-6045.

Arrangements by Parthemore Funeral Home and Cremation Services.