Thomas Arlotta passed in a tragic motor vehicle accident on February 10, 2026. In order to properly mourn Tom and celebrate his life we will have a wake and celebration of life for him the first week of March. Anyone is welcome to join.
Many people have reached out wanting to support the Arlotta family in light of the loss of Tom, so we put together this fundraiser. Donations are very kind, but no one should feel pressured to donate during what are challenging financial times for many families.
The funds raised will go toward funeral expenses and supporting the family during this difficult time. As his estate is still being worked out and may take a few months to settle, we truly appreciate any support in the meantime. If, once everything is finalized, we find that more funds were raised than needed, we will donate the remaining amount to a charity in his honor. We are considering Families for Safe Streets, which provides mentoring to families impacted by traffic violence.
Thomas Christopher Arlotta
October 14, 1995 – February 10, 2026
Nothing defines a person quite like love, and Thomas Christopher Arlotta loved with his whole heart. He cherished his family, his friends, his girlfriend, and his beloved dog Vinny with a fierce and unwavering devotion. Tom’s heart was generous and loyal; he loved fully, without hesitation or condition. In return, he was deeply loved by his family and embraced by his community.
Thomas was cherished from the moment he was born on October 14, 1995, to Patricia Kidd and Scott Arlotta. He joined his older sister, Katie, and a few years later, his younger sister, Kristie, was born, completing their family of five.
Raised in Yonkers, New York, Thomas’ curiosity was evident from childhood. He was fascinated by cars, buses, trains, planes, and ships and he loved knowing how things worked. He overcame challenges early in life, showing the determination and resilience that would define him.
Thomas attended St. Barnabas Elementary School and went on to graduate from Fordham Preparatory School. At Fordham Prep, he ran track in all three seasons and was awarded the Pheidippides Award, given to the teammate who would always go the extra mile for others and for himself, regardless of personal cost. He ran a five-minute mile and lived out the Jesuit ideal of being a “Man for Others.”
He continued his education at Marquette University, earning a degree in mechanical engineering. After graduating, Tom worked extremely hard to work his way up in his field. He was able to work on trains, planes, and even an international space station. In his free time, he lent his expertise as a handyman and automotive design consultant, always eager to build, improve, and understand how things worked. Through his intelligence and work ethic, Tom left a lasting mark on every project he touched, including meaningful contributions to the advancement of human spaceflight.
Thomas lived life fully and without hesitation. He rode motorcycles with his friends, served as a Formula 1 flag marshal at races in Miami, COTA, and Las Vegas, raced with his Mazda Miata team, and competed in the 24 Hours of Lemons. Cars were not just a hobby, they were his language, his community, and his joy. He built them, raced them, and fixed them, often for his sisters. Tom’s life was shaped by the passions that brought him joy. He found freedom in racing cars and riding his motorcycle, comfort in strong coffee, energy in a good run, and happiness in a slice of Patsy’s pizza.
Thomas leaves behind his parents Scott and Patti, his sisters Katie and Kristie, his girlfriend Ann, and many friends and extended family members. He will be remembered as a loving brother, son, partner, and friend, as well as a brilliant engineer.