Thomas Robert Radcliff

Thomas Robert Radcliff died from congestive heart failure at Fallbrook Hospital May 20, 2014. He was born February 11, 1926 in Silverton, Ore. to Melbourne and Ruby (Dahl) Radcliff, the second of three children. The family moved to Southern California in 1932.

Tom pitched in American Legion Junior Baseball and was a member of the World Championship team in 1942. While at Fremont High School, (class of 1944), Tom was named to the All-Los Angeles City baseball team and received Athlete of the Year All Southern California honors in 1944.

He then served two years in the Army, stationed in Germany for a year post-WWII. After returning home, he signed with the Red Sox as a pitcher and played minor league ball all over the country for five years before he injured his arm. Tom worked for Lever Brothers as a machine operator for 30 years, retiring in 1982. He lived in La Habra for 50 years, moving to Rainbow in September 2012 to live with family.

Tom’s interests included baseball, especially the Angels, music, old movies and comics. He was an artist who enjoyed experimenting with watercolor and acrylic paints right up until he went to the hospital this last time.

He was preceded in death by his older sister, Barbara, who died in 1995.

He is survived by his sister and brother-in-law, Nancy and Mario Moramarco of Rainbow; 10 nephews and nieces, Joe (Linda) Moramarco of Tombstone, Ariz., Doug Moramarco and Bill Moramarco of Rainbow, Rick (Denise) Moramarco of Fallbrook, Pete (Anna) Moramarco of Prescott Valley, Ariz., Lucette Moramarco and Suzy Moramarco of Fallbrook, Pat Moramarco of Vista, Traci (Clay) Brittain of Fallbrook, and Pauli (Brad) Ervin of Lakewood, Colo., as well as numerous great-nieces and -nephews, and Maggie the cat.

The family thanks the staff and volunteers of Fallbrook Hospice for helping Tom to enjoy the last six months. A Celebration of Life will be held later this month.