Thomas E. "Tom" Fullen Sr.

Thomas “Tom” Fullen, 83, a beloved basketball coach, father, grandfather, and mentor passed away peacefully on March 23, 2026.

Tom was born on November 5, 1942, in Swissvale, Pennsylvania. He was raised in Swissvale, where he attended St. Anselm’s Catholic School before graduating from Swissvale High School in the class of 1960. He also attended Robert Morris University, a private university in Pennsylvania.

He will be fondly missed by his family: daughter Kym Amaral and her children Krystal Amaral (Matthew Antunes) and Kevin Amaral (Julia); daughter Debra Ralston and her children Jennifer Wright (Ed) and Mike Ralston; son Lonnie Fullen and his children Lonnie Fullen Jr and Jason Fullen; son Thomas Fullen Jr.; daughter Carolyn Kenny and her children Kevin and Colleen; daughter Mary Jo Fullen; his twin siblings Jack Fullen (Jacqueline) and Jill Fullen; and many nieces, nephews, and great-grandchildren.

Tom was preceded in death by his twin brother James "Jimmy" Fullen, son Keith Fullen, and parents Edward and Jessie (Baacke) Fullen, whose memory he held dear.

From a young age, Tom had a passion for basketball. He played competitively during his school years and contended for division titles, laying the foundation for a lifelong love of the game.

Tom was a long-distance driver for Koppers, a company involved with steel mills in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Over the course of his career, he was recognized for his exceptional dedication to safety, earning an award for driving one million miles without an accident—an achievement he took great pride in.

In 2006, Tom moved to Bristol, Rhode Island, to reside with his daughter Kym and her family. He became a respected and beloved basketball coach for the Bristol-Warren school district. He was also very involved in a summer camp for kids, Best Hoops. Over the years, he dedicated himself to mentoring young athletes and students, leaving a lasting impact both on and off the court.

His commitment to the sport and his players earned him numerous honors, including being named a Cox Communications Outstanding Coach, induction into the Bristol Hall of Fame for Coaching, and recognition as Coach of the Year in Rhode Island. He was especially proud of his work with the Special Olympics Unified Basketball program, where he helped create an inclusive and uplifting environment for all participants.

Outside of basketball, Tom was an avid golfer, a huge Steelers fan, loved trains and was a collector of sports cards. He also cherished his yearly trips back home to Pennsylvania with his daughter, Kym—often a two-week adventure by car, filled with memories, laughter, and time spent revisiting the places that meant so much to him.

Tom will be remembered for his kindness, his sense of humor, his infectious laugh, and his unwavering passion for sports and for people. His legacy lives on in the many lives he touched as a coach, mentor, father, grandfather, and friend.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date.