Tom Incaviglia

July 31, 1929 ~ December 10, 2009

Published in the Monterey Herald on 12/18/2009

MONTEREY - Tom Incaviglia, 80, passed away peacefully while surrounded by his family on Thursday, December 10, 2009. He was born in Monterey, California to Antonino and Anna Incaviglia.

He was a graduate of Monterey High School, class of 1947, where he lettered in football, basketball and baseball. Some of his football teammates would remember him as an amazing drop kicker of field goals and extra points. "In those days we didn't need a holder", he would say. Over the next several years he would serve his country in the Navy, attend St. Mary's College on a baseball scholarship and sign a professional baseball contract with the Brooklyn Dodgers.

His three sons were very fortunate to have him as their father. It is through his example that they learned to be the father's and husband's they are today. Tom was old school; hardworking and strong, yet loving and gentle.

He truly believed that if you worked hard, treated people the way you would want to be treated, and with a little luck from the good Lord, you could have a good life. This is who Tom was, uut his true labor of love, as he called it, was his biggest gift to us.

He was all about the game of baseball. It was his gift handed down to us just as any father would hand down their experiences and knowledge. But this would not be just any hand me down; this was his life, his passion. He taught the game with that passion, the old school way of playing the game that is very difficult to find today.

He was a pioneer that a chosen few had the good fortune to experience first hand. Over 40 years ago the commitment he taught his sons, the drills, the workouts, the mechanics, the theorys are still the core of lessons being taught today at the highest levels.

His son, Peter is a testament and a witness to that. Tom's home was the ballpark. He was ahead of his time when it came to the training and the teaching of the game. Whether anyone knew it or not he educated and led many.

He continued his devotion to the youth leagues on the Monterey Peninsula by heading a group that transitioned Peninsula youth baseball from affiliation of Little League Baseball to Pony League Baseball during the mid to late 1960's. But his passion was teaching the mechanics of hitting where he regularly gave lessons in the backroom of his convenience store he owned and operated for over 40 years.

He was also the varsity head baseball coach at Robert Louis Stevenson during the 1970's. He also was a proud member of several club organizations that included the Kiwanis Club, Pacheco Club, Compari Club and the Beach and Tennis Club.

He is survived by his devoted and loving wife of 55 years, Dora; his two sisters, Angie (Sal) Cardinale and Lucille Carter; his three sons, Tony (Kathleen) Incaviglia, Frank (Kathleen) Incaviglia, Peter (Diana) Incaviglia; and his five grandchildren, Thomas, Renee, Philip, Nicholas, and Gina.

A traditional burial will be held at the Santa Lucia Chapel on Wednesday, December 16, 2009 at 2:00pm. He will be put to rest just a high fly ball away from where he spent his happiest times.