Thomas Ritchie

Thomas E. Ritchie Jr., “T.J.”, age 18, died suddenly on Sat., August 14, 2010. He was born in Abington Hospital and raised in Bensalem, PA. T.J. graduated from Bensalem High School on June 21, 2010 and planned to go back to school to become a Mechanic. He was a very hard worker and was an employee of Redner’s Market. T.J. was a good, kind-hearted, loving person who loved being with family and friends. Growing up, T.J. loved spending time learning how to fish, going fishing, and camping with his mother and step-father. He loved talking to his dad and brother about sports. T.J. was his brother’s best friend and sports partner; and always made time to play football, street hockey, and more with him. He even played basketball with his sister. T.J. was shy, but loved to joke and play around with his family and friends. He loved to make people laugh. His “Oh Noooo’s” and “dumb dumb . . where’s my gum gum” always put a smile on everybody’s face, and will be greatly missed by his sisters, brother, family, and friends. T.J. was the type of person who showed his love in his own special way, and was a softy when it came to his three nieces. He had a big heart and a lot of dreams. T.J. had a big family and is very much missed and loved by them. T.J. is survived by, and the loving son of, his father Thomas E. Ritchie Sr., his mother Jeannie Barnett-Ritchie, and step-father Mark Olsen; along with his four sisters Leann, Amanda, Theresa and Lisa Ritchie; his one brother Michael “Mikey” Ritchie; and his step-sister Jessa Olsen and step-brother Mark Olsen Jr. He is also survived by his three nieces Genesis Nelson, Maria and Mya; his grandmother Jean Straley; his Popu George Tahinos; his grandfather Ralph Jarensky; his uncles Raymond and Anthony Barnett and Ron Jarensky; his aunt Veronica “Roni” Straley; cousins Katie and Jake Nichols, Dezmond, Frankie and Skye Smith, Anthony Jr., Veronica, Zack and Georgie Barnett; and many other relatives and friends. T.J. was preceded in death by his grandmother Joyce Jarensky; his grandfather Harold “Mike” Barnett; his aunt Lisa E. Ritchie and uncle John Jarensky; and his great grandparents. Relatives and friends are invited to his gathering on Sat., 9-11am, at the Galzerano Funeral Home, 3500 Oxford-Valley Road in Levittown, where a funeral service will begin at 11am. Interment will follow in Beechwood Cemetery. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Thomas Ritchie, please visit our flower store.