Thomas Peter Manelski, 62, of South Whitehall Township, passed away Saturday, December 31, 2011 surrounded by his family in Lehigh Valley Hospital. The son of the late Albert P. and Marie D. (Dawson) Manelski, born May 25, 1949 in Rockville Center, New York, and raised in Hicksville, NY. Tom attended Hicksville High School and enlisted in the United States Navy in 1967. In 1968 he met his future wife Christina Marie (Banotai) Manelski on a trip to Allentown as a guest of his friend and fellow sailor, Christina's brother, Joseph Banotai. They married in September 1971. Christina and Tom have two children, Matthew Manelski of Doylestown, PA, married to Ann Marie Manelski, and Theresa Shelhamer of Breinigsville, PA. Tom worked in driver sales for Dietz & Watson for 30 years. His passions included his family - especially the time he spent with his 4 grandchildren: Madeline Shelhamer; Ella, Nathan, and Delaney Manelski. Tom enjoyed rooting for the New York Yankees, Rangers, and Giants, and perfecting his golf and card games with his many friends at Wedgewood Golf Course. He was especially delighted when he could combine his passions in his traditional family poker games. Tom was the third of eight siblings, all of whom survive him: Stephen (Laura) Manelski, of Fresno, CA, Kathleen Henry, of Hicksville, NY, Gregory (Edna) Manelski, of South Huntington, NY, Richard (Aileen) Manelski, of East Rutherfordton, NC, James (Christine) Manelski, of Anaheim, CA, Marie Manelski, of Hicksville, NY, and Susan Haran, of Cold Spring Harbor, NY. Tom is also survived by his father-in-law, Joseph G. Banotai, of Allentown; brother-in-laws, Joseph and Thomas (Valerie) Banotai all of Allentown. Tom is survived by numerous nieces and nephews. Services: Friends may call from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday and 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. on Thursday at Weber Funeral Home, 1619 W. Hamilton St., Allentown. Mass of Christian Burial, 10 a.m. Thursday at Cathedral of St. Catherine of Siena, 1825 West Turner St., Allentown. Arrangements entrusted to Weber Funeral Home, Allentown: www.weberfuneralhomes.com. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society at www.lls.org.