Thomas C. Battiato passed away January 6 following a lengthy battle with COPD, lung disease.

He was born in Lincoln, NE on September 9, 1956 to Charles and Edna (Ruzowski) Battiato. Tom grew up in Fremont and graduated from the University of Nebraska - Lincoln.

He began his adult life working in Lincoln at the Nebraska legislature, but then moved to Omaha, where he pursued a career in business.

In 1989 he relocated with his family to the Orlando, Florida area where he attended the University of Central Florida and obtained a Master of Arts degree in Counselor Education. From that time he pursued a dual career as both a school counselor and a mental health counselor. He got along well with all ages of students, and through the years worked with everyone from high school down through pre-k, and even with inmates at the county jail.

He greatly enjoyed following the Los Angeles Dodgers, Nebraska Cornhuskers, Bruce Springsteen, and traveling to see many different places and cultures.

In 2005 he followed his urge to see the world by accepting a position at the American School of Guatemala, before eventually moving to International Baccalaureate schools in Hong Kong and Singapore. He was proud that he was able to visit and meet people in 48 countries and 48 states.

It was in Hong Kong that he met the love of his life, Floradel "Odeth" Rosales Battiato. He facilitated her move to America, along with their stepdaughters.

Survivors include his wife Odeth, stepchildren Jao Rosales of the Philippines. Shemarie Gengania and Nakisha Gengania of Saint Cloud, Florida, and daughters Lolita (Tycho) of the Netherlands, Chiaryn (Andy) and their daughter Adeline of Seattle, and Tomasita Miranda.

A lifelong Democrat, Tom's dying wish is that America can quell the forces pushing it to become an autocracy and restore it to free and fair elections where no one tries to win by denying their fellow citizens the right to vote.