Dr. Thomas Mollo

Dr. Thomas E. Mollo of State College, PA died on Sunday, March 26, 2023 after a five year battle with prostate cancer. He was 74 years old.

Thomas Edward Mollo, Elyor ben Avraham, was born in Philadelphia, PA to parents Joseph and Carmen Mollo. From an early age, Thom had a strong passion for music and took voice lessons and guitar lessons for many years which would serve him well over the course of his life. 

In 1971 Thom graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Temple University. After a few years taking pre-med classes at Cal State Fullerton with his heart set on veterinary medicine, he moved back to Philadelphia to work as a respiratory therapist at Temple University Hospital in 1974. At Temple Hospital Thom met the love of his life, Holly, and the two were married on May 14, 1976. 

After finding out that he was allergic to cats and dogs, he gave up his dream of veterinary school, and in 1977 he matriculated into what is now the Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine. Upon earning a Doctor of Podiatric Medicine degree in 1981, Thom began a preceptorship with Dr. Brian Hoover in Huntington, PA. Following his preceptorship, he began private practice in Lewistown. In 1985, he began practicing in State College and Philipsburg, where he maintained offices for 33 years, finally retiring from private practice in 2018.

That year, he began seeing patients at the James E. VanZandt Veteran’s Medical Center in State College, where he continued seeing patients through the end of 2022. A perennial winner of Podiatrist of the Year in Philipsburg, he was a well-respected member of the community.

As a beloved father, Thom spent his spare time assistant coaching for his son’s “Centre Footcare” Little League Baseball team and serving as a lay leader for Agudath Achim Congregation in Huntington, PA with his wife, Holly. Thom volunteered his prodigious guitar and vocal talents to serve God and the Jewish community at Agudath Achim for twenty years and at other Jewish communal gatherings in years prior. Thom joined with several local bands over the years and, as any friend or family would attest, he was always up for an impromptu jam session.

Thom is survived by his wife of 46 years, Holly D. Lieber Mollo; daughter, Alyssa Sherlock and husband Carl of Audubon; son, Eric and wife Carolan and granddaughters Izzie and Rosie Mollo, of Wilkes-Barre. 

A private graveside memorial service will be held at the Haym Salomon Memorial Park in Frazer, PA.

Condolences may be sent to 602 East Foster Ave., State College, PA 16801. In lieu of flowers, donations in Thom’s name may be made to the Rabbi’s Discretionary Fund at Temple B’nai B’rith, 408 Wyoming Avenue Kingston, PA 18704.