Thomas Patrick Dinan

Thomas Patrick Dinan was born April 17, 1965, in Washington, D.C. to Donna Dicks Dinan and Daniel Joseph Dinan. He died at peace at Hoag Hospital, Irvine, CA, on August 5, 2023, of colon cancer. Raised and nurtured in the wonderful community of Bowie, Maryland with his three siblings - Anne Dinan Mallon, Danny Dinan, and Karin Dinan Dolan. Tom (Tommy to childhood friends) received the sacraments at St. Pius Catholic Church in Bowie and was a graduate of Buckingham Elementary, Belair Junior High, and Bowie High School.

During his youth, he enjoyed the full sports package offered by the Bowie Boys & Girls Club. His mother forced him to take piano lessons and, to that end, would still play The Pink Panther theme song with verve whenever he was near a piano. A favorite memory was 18-year old Tom driving his sister, Anne, the 22-year old bride to her wedding in his no-seat-belts 1965 Black Chevy Nova. Who needed a limousine?

Tom attended the University of Maryland, College Park, MD, graduating in 1988 with a degree in Economics, pretty much working his own way through college at various jobs. These included bartending at The Cellar, restaurant waiter (where he once saved a young boy’s life applying The Heimlich maneuver), and managing the produce at the local Safeway.

He would later join his parents in Brussels, BE, and with backpack in place, ride the trains throughout Europe. The most memorable trip was when his father took the Dinan men to Ireland to visit the birthplaces of Tom’s grandparents. And, there was that memorable car ride to Paris with his sisters.

Tom made his way out to California in his light-blue Honda Civic for a visit when his parents moved to San Diego, CA. Tom’s “visit” wound up being a 35-year stint in Southern California where in 1997 he married Tamara Cerulli. They had three amazing and loved children, Liam Thomas, Emily Elizabeth, and Emma Grace. In addition to his kids, Tom appreciated (or at times tolerated) the company of many dogs throughout his life, Bitsy, Ben, Gracie, Snickers, Twix, Griffin and Carli. Tom was a diehard Washington Commanders fan and named one of his dogs after Robert Griffin III. Unfortunately, the dog and RGIII’s career had similar attributes, short and stinky.

A family man at heart, Tom also enjoyed riding his three Harley Davidson motorcycles and hanging out at Cook’s Corner. When the weather was nice (which in Orange County is a given), Tom could be found walking, biking, or eating outdoors with his loved ones,

Starting when he was 11-years old with a paper route, he could always be counted on to be a hard worker, Never one to back down from a challenge, Tom began his career in California at Great Western Bank as branch manager in Citrus Heights, CA; moved on to Senior Underwriter at Donaldson, Lufkin and Jenrette; Regional Operations Manager with CoreWest Banc; then enjoyed years of success in the mortgage industry first as VP Regional Manager with New Century Mortgage; and ending his career at TheLender, a company he helped found. Tom was known as someone who could not only get stuff done, but as someone wiling to help those around him. It was noted that Tom’s easy going nature, honesty, and authenticity touched many lives during his business career.

Diagnosed with colon cancer in June 2021, Tom never let his medical realities slow him down in life. He continued to go to concerts with his son, Liam; talk at length about historical and political topics with his daughter, Emily; attend various choir and dance performances for his youngest daughter, Emma; and try new restaurants with Brandon and Bradford Le.

His favorite times were ones spent with his family for he loved going back to Maryland for Thanksgiving with the rest of the family and competing in their annual ping-pong tournament; going down to San Diego to spend time with his parents; the entire family celebrating his Mom’s 70th birthday and his parents’ 50th wedding anniversary in Lucca, Italy; or hosting various out-of-state family members and close friends for meals at home. He was always there when someone needed a

helping hand, advice on which Stereo or TV to buy, mortgage tips, or offering a joke. He will be missed dearly by all who had the opportunity to know him. A kind soul. Tom was an easy man to love.

Tom is survived by his devoted children, Liam Thomas, Emily Elizabeth, Emma Grace, Brandon and Bradford Le, his mother, Donna Dinan, three siblings, Anne Dinan Mallon (Michael Mallon), Danny Dinan, and Karin Dinan Dolan (Matthew Dolan), and his former wife, Tamara Cerulli Dinan. Tom’s father, Daniel J. Dinan, Jr., predeceased him. Tom had a gaggle of nieces and nephews who loved him and his infectious laugh very much: Shamus Mallon, Colin Mallon, Daniel Mallon, Brendan Dolan, Molly Dolan, Annie Dolan, TJ Cerulli, Anthony Cerulli and Nathan Cerulli.

A Celebration of Life is scheduled for Friday, September 15, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. at Chapel of Orange (215 N Grand St, Orange, CA 92866) with a lunch to follow at the adjacent banquet room. If desired, friends of Tom are encouraged to bring written words to share about Tom or a favorite story. Parking details can be found here: https: Chapel of Orange Parking Map .