Thomas M. Persil

thomas persil

July 11, 1960 ~ January 20, 2025

Born in: Washington , DC
Resided in: Manassas, Virginia

Thomas Marshall Persil, age 64, of Manassas, VA passed away peacefully on January 20, 2025 after a brave battle with brain cancer.

Tom was born in Washington, DC on July 11, 1960. He attended Robinson High School and was an Eagle Scout. He graduated from Virginia Tech with a major in Computer Science and was hired by IBM in Poughkeepsie, NY upon graduation, where he met Gale (Rucinski) Persil, mother to children Matthew and Erika.

Tom worked as a Unix Administrator for Geico for over 30 years, retiring in 2023. His generosity was equal to his love of music – it knew no bounds. He travelled the world attending music festivals and making great friends. He first picked up a guitar as a teen and never put it down, always enthusiastic to entertain guests at any event he held or attended. He was a certified ski instructor and would rarely miss annual ski trips to Vermont or Colorado. He was also a black belt in Taekwondo and Uechi-ryu karate.

Tom was fluent in German and took a deep interest in the genealogy and history of his family. He was also an accomplished beer enthusiast and used an app to log and rate over 1,100 unique beers.

He is survived by his children, Matthew Persil of Oakton, VA and Erika Persil of Manassas, VA, his father, Herbert G. Persil of Fairfax, brothers Christopher (Shelly) Persil of Fairfax, John (Amy) Persil of Herndon, his sister Sarah Persil of Yellow Spring, WV, and nieces Mellissa, Erin, Emily and Jacqueline and nephew Stephen.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Blythe (Cadwell) Persil and brother, Stephen More Persil.

Visitation will be held from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM, Sunday, January 26th, at Money and King Funeral Home, located at 171 Maple Ave W, Vienna, VA 22180.

A funeral mass and burial service will be held at St. Mary’s of Sorrows Historic Church located at 5612 Ox Rd, Fairfax Station, VA 22039 at 11:00 AM Monday January 27th. A reception will follow immediately after the funeral at St. Mary’s Hall, located adjacent to the church. Funeral arrangements are being handled by Money and King Funeral Home.

Any and all who knew and loved him are welcome to attend any part of his celebration of life.

Nothing is expected, but in lieu of flowers memorial donations may be given to Save The Music Foundation. https://www.savethemusic.org/

Services

Visitation: January 26, 2025 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm

Money and King Funeral Home
171 W. Maple Ave.
Vienna, VA 22180

703-938-7440

Mass of Christian Burial : January 27, 2025 11:00 am

St. Mary of Sorrows Historic Church
Ox Road & Fairfax Station Road
Fairfax Station, VA 22039

(703) 978-4141

Cemetery: January 27, 2025 12:00 pm

St. Mary of Sorrows Historic Church Cemetery
Ox Road
Fairfax Station, VA

703-978-4141

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Memories Timeline

Guestbook

  1. Seeing your picture here in the obituaries is so hard. I broke down again in tears. I know where you are and I’m happy that you are with the Lord we both know, love and serve. However, it doesn’t alleviate the sorrow of realizing that you are no longer a part of the world I am. I know your presence is here and as time goes on, you won’t seem so far away.

    It’s not that you were anyone’s best friend, it is that you were/are the BEST friend. You were always kind, loving, generous to any and everyone who crossed your path.

    I know you are in peace but, I seriously doubt you are ‘resting’. You showed up wherever God took
    you, ready, willing and able to accept whatever He has next for you.

    I will NEVER say goodbye, my friend because I know we will meet again.

    ‘Friends are friends forever, if the Lord’s the Lord of them’.

    Btw, I’ll keep an eye on Buster… he’s a good guy and I’ll make sure we stay in touch and help each other through this terrible grief.

    I love you, ‘Buuuddy’ always and forever

  2. r i p .. tom .. we met us at several ctte and had good times .. i wish you good times .. there where you are .. 😊

  3. I got to know Tom just a bit at various music festivals. I wish I had more time to know him better. He left a very joyous impression. He will be missed by many. May his memory be a blessing.

  4. 3rd of July parties – hanging out at my parent’s house- you were great friends with my brother Richard from high school on, and a family friend to all of us. It did not matter what we all did – playing bumper pool, cards, badmitton while holding a beer in one hand and the racket in another, you were always part of the family.
    Your support of our family was also second to none, attending the funeral of my mother (who you called mom as well), and not leaving Richard’s bedside as he lost his battle to cancer. (And yes, we all know he was probably waiting for you to arrive and immediatley handed you a cold one while taking you around to show you the lay of the land and where to hear the greatest music.)
    Tom you were one of a kind, a unique and amazing individual who made an impact on all that were lucky enough to cross your crazy, always smiling, random German spoken moments, path.
    Vorerst Lebe wohl, Freund.

  5. Tom,
    I loved you from the day we met, and continue to love you now.

    When I die
    when my coffin
    is being taken out
    you must never think
    i am missing this world

    don’t shed any tears
    don’t lament or
    feel sorry
    i’m not falling
    into a monster’s abyss

    when you see
    my corpse is being carried
    don’t cry for my leaving
    i’m not leaving
    i’m arriving at eternal love

    when you leave me
    in the grave
    don’t say goodbye
    remember a grave is
    only a curtain
    for the paradise behind

    you’ll only see me
    descending into a grave
    now watch me rise
    how can there be an end
    when the sun sets or
    the moon goes down

    it looks like the end
    it seems like a sunset
    but in reality it is a dawn
    when the grave locks you up
    that is when your soul is freed

    have you ever seen
    a seed fallen to earth
    not rise with a new life
    why should you doubt the rise
    of a seed named human

    have you ever seen
    a bucket lowered into a well
    coming back empty
    why lament for a soul
    when it can come back
    like Joseph from the well

    when for the last time
    you close your mouth
    your words and soul
    will belong to the world of
    no place no time

    – Rumi

  6. I’ve spent this week replaying your greatest hits over and over in my head. We met in high school signing up for time slots to use the terminals in the computer lab in the fall of 1976. You were the core around which a motley band of misfits found each other and became life-long friends. You started the 3rd of July parties and almost without fail kept that connection going for the better part of 45 years. We did college together and then life. Through thick and thin you always showed up and always with that goofy grin on your face. I keep you always in my heart and strive to live up to the example you set on how to live a good and meaningful life.

  7. The kids and I have fond memories of Tom. Whenever possible he loved practicing his German with Leah, Marc and myself. If we needed help or had any questions about Uechi-Ryu Karate, Tom was always eager and patient to help and explain it to us. And every year he would include us and invite us to his legendary 3. July parties. He was such a gentle soul, so kind, helpful and funny. We will miss him!
    We would like to extend our deepest sympathy to the entire Persil family.
    Tom will remain in our hearts, thoughts and prayers.
    Ariela, Leah and Marc Stern

  8. I met Tom through Uechi-Ryu karate. He was the most serious martial art practitioner that I’ve known; very well respected among friends and classmates. He’ll be dearly missed.

    My thoughts are always with you and your family.

  9. I met Tom in Boy Scouts, where like everywhere else, he excelled. He became an Eagle Scout. He and his family visited me in Alaska, and we hung around the fire chatting up old times. But more than that, he was the best friend you could ever ask for. I am unable to make it today or tomorrow, I am sure he knows why. A mutual friend will be there, and maybe I can touch base with a few of his other friends at that time. RIP, Tom. Missed greatly already.

  10. Tom was in a panel who hired me at GEICO. He was my team leader in Open Systems Storage team from year 2008 to 2015.

    I would remember Tom forever for his friendliness, leadership and knowledge of history. Rest in peace, Tom. You will be missed, Tom.

    I pray to Bhagwan Ganesh to give strength to your family for passing through this tough time.

  11. Tom-San,

    I first met you at the Uechi-Ryu Karate Dojo. My first impression of you was, “What a kind person, radiating warmth and compassion in every aspect of your being.” You were always someone who spoke kindly and thoughtfully, always considering others.

    You had a remarkable talent for finding the positive side of any situation and joyfully sharing it with those around you. Even after you fell ill, when we visited you, you never spoke of your struggles. Instead, you would say, “I am so blessed,” and share stories about the wonderful times you had with your family. Seeing you then reminded me once again of your incredible strength and the depth of your love.

    Whenever I think of you, your smile and sense of humor are the first things that come to mind. Your gentle voice, and how you would warmly greet Matt-San at the dojo with a hug and the words, “How are you, my son?” overflowed with affection. Every time I saw it, it warmed my heart as well.

    Thank you, Tom-San. Your presence is etched deeply in our hearts and will continue to live on. May you rest in peace.

  12. Tom was undoubtedly one of the kindest individuals I’ve ever met. It showed in everything he did and radiated in the way he carried himself. His unwavering kindness and selflessness by example is the lesson from him that I will carry with me from now on. On top of that, he was a fellow pun/dad joke afficionado. To me, this made him and even rarer individual that elevates him above the rest. God Bless you Tom. I’ll cherish the memories, and I’ll miss you and all the wonderful dad jokes you brought to the table.

  13. I came to know Tom through mutual interest in Martial Arts, Skiing, and beer. Not necessarily in that order. Tom introduced me to tree skiing which I thought only happened after an awful mistake. His knowledge of German helped me understand the name of a beautiful restaurant I found while skiing in Garmisch, the Kreuz Alm. I remember many intense classes in the Dojo, refining our Uechi-Ryu skills where Tom achieved the distinction of Ni-Dan through hard work and dedication. Tom’s passion and determination shone through in everything he did, from the slopes to the dojo. His friendship and spirit will never be forgotten. Rest in peace, my friend.

  14. I remember Tom as a very caring karate instructor. He assisted in teaching Uechi-Ryu classes at Oakmont Rec Center to my son, Zay, and me. I remember him sitting on our belt promotion board and being my evaluator. When students didn’t know some of the Uechi-Ryu history, he took pride and care in explaining the history, pointing out the Uechi family photos on the dojo wall. We will remember his kindness and dedication.

  15. My family first met Mr. Tom Persil when he was a judge in our Karate belt promotion test. We then met him several times at different events at the Okinawa Karate and Cultural Center. Our family will always remember Mr. Persil for his kindness and dedication.
    We want to share our deep condolences to his family.

  16. Dear Persil Family,
    It was an honor knowing Tom, and training with him in Uechi Ryu. I will miss his sense of humor and his welcoming spirit whenever I visited the dojo. May his blessed memory bring you comfort.


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