Terrence Natale "Terry T" Tornabene

Terrence Natale “Terry T” Tornabene, 56, of Magnolia and formerly of Dover, passed away peacefully on Sunday, July 2, 2023 in Community Hospice-Truman House at New Philadelphia, following a lengthy illness.

Born in Cincinnati, Terry was the son of the late Samuel J. and Patricia (Milligan) Tornabene and a 1985 graduate of Dover High School. Following high school, Terry enlisted in the United States Army and proudly served his country until his honorable discharge in 1987. He later attended Kent State University-Tuscarawas where he acquired an Associate Degree.  

A man of faith, Terry recently received his ministerial certificate and was anticipating growing in his faith until his illness prevented him from doing so.  

To say that Terry loved music, would be an understatement. Music was his life. He picked up a guitar and started playing at age six and his love of music remained constant ever since. Over the years, Terry performed all over Tuscarawas and Stark Counties, the Akron and Cleveland areas and even out of state.  He was a member and performed for a number of local bands which included Misstreated, Rusty Nail, Country Heartbeat, Lincoln Highway, Blackout, and T-Dog 3, among others. He was well known for his Jimmy Buffet tribute performances and a successful solo career, most recently as “Terry’s Acoustics.” He also started the “Open Mic Night” at the Towpath Tavern in Bolivar. Terry considered each and every one of the local musicians to be his family and loved them all.  

Terry was a lifelong fan of football and his favorite team was the Pittsburgh Steelers. One of his proudest accomplishments was that he and his son, Sam, attended professional football games at all 32 NFL stadiums from 2005 through 2014.                                                                                                  

Terry is survived by his son, Samuel Natale Tornabene (Taylor Fellows) and their three children, Carter, Jasper, and Parker-May Tornabene of Bolivar;  his daughter, Cassie Tornabene of Strasburg; Terry’s fiancée, Deborah “Debi” Decker-Srock of Magnolia; and his birth mother, Sharon Bartholic of Reynoldsburg.

In addition to his parents, Terry was preceded in death by two brothers, Michael Stephens, and Billy Stephens.

In keeping with his wishes, Terry is to be cremated through the care of the Geib Funeral Center & Crematory at Dover. A private family graveside service will take place in the near future at Dover Burial Park where the New Philadelphia VFW will provide military honors.

The family is asking that memorial contributions be directed to the "Terry Tornabene Memorial Fund" at any Dover-Phila Federal Credit Union branch to assist the family in defraying Terry’s final expenses.