Thomas W. Dillenburg, Jr.

Thomas William Dillenburg Jr,

Age 81, died peacefully on Thursday, April 25, 2024, after a long battle with Parkinson's Disease. Born on October 26, 1942 in Dunkirk, NY, the son of Thomas and Elizabeth (Pupenbroke) Dillenburg. Though he was encouraged to follow his father in a career in the steel mill, he decided to follow his passion in pursuing athletics. A decorated athlete of his town, earning four varsity letters all four years of high school, Tom received many college offers, but decided to play basketball at the University of Rochester. He majored in history, and stayed on for a fifth year to get his masters degree, and ultimately study to be a history teacher - and of course, a coach. 

He spent the next many years teaching and coaching high school, solidifying his vocation as a lifelong educator. After teaching in New York and California, Tom accepted an offer to work on a PhD at Carnegie Mellon University, where he met his wife of 50 years, Julie Seifried. Taken by her immediately, he wrote to his sister the night he met her telling her, “I’ve met the woman I’m going to marry.” After a short courtship, they eloped and started their life together in Pittsburgh. They bought and fixed up a house in Aspinwall, and shortly after had their first child, Thomas Edward Dillenburg (Ted). Margie, named after Tom’s best friend and sister, came less than two years later. 

Though Tom was an educator, he was also a savvy businessman, and an entrepreneur. He accepted a job as the President of Duff’s Business Institute in Downtown Pittsburgh, and soon after bought the school, and its building. Tom grew the school’s associates degree programs to great success, and led many wonderful students and faculty members, many of whom have come forward to offer the difference he made in their life. He worked tirelessly for his students and employees, but was also a very dedicated family man. He spent countless weekends at hockey tournaments and tennis matches, as well as fishing with his friends and family. His family and extended community have countless memories of spending time together at his beloved house at Lake Latonka. 

He went on to do many more things, both in education and business including buying a restoration company, investing early in electric vehicle infrastructure, starting an education consulting business, and teaching entrepreneurship at Grove City College. He loved to be productive, and to serve, so he had many failed attempts to retire. 

He and Julie started spending winters in The Villages, Florida, where they eventually bought a home. Many of their lifelong friends and family joined them, and he was finally able to lean into retirement. There he’d spend time golfing, watching sports, reading mystery novels, fishing and loving the sunshine with his wife and friends. But he never lost his connection to Pittsburgh, his kids and grandchildren. He will be greatly missed by everyone his life touched, but especially by his loving family, students, and friends. 

Tom was preceded in death by his brother, William Dillenburg, and is survived by his wife of 50 years, Julianne (Seifried) Dillenburg; his sister, Margie Neder; his daughter, Margie Dillenburg; his son, Ted; his daughter-in-law Nik (Straub); his grandchildren, Sam and Ellie Dillenburg.

Friends will be received at the Weddell-Ajak Funeral Home (https://www.weddellajak.com), Friday, May 3rd, from 4:00 - 8:00 pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Christ the King Parish, St. Scholastica Church, 309 Brilliant Ave., Aspinwall on Saturday, May 4th, at 10:00 am. 

In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to Christ Divine Teacher Catholic Academy, 205 Brilliant Avenue, Aspinwall, PA 15215, or to Deer Valley YMCA Family Camp, 254 Deer Valley Drive, Fort Hill, PA 15540.

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