May 3, 2026

Vanderbilt

Thomas E. “Sank” Sankovich, 85, of Vanderbilt, passed away surrounded by his family Thursday, April 30, 2026. He was born May 12, 1940, a son of the late Anthony and Amelia Rollience Sankovich.

Tom was predeceased by his adoring wife of 55 years, Constance “Connie” Orlando Sankovich; and his brother, Jim Sankovich.

Tom was blessed with two sons, who meant the world to him: Thomas Sankovich and wife Kandra, and Brian Sankovich and wife Jennifer; three grandsons, who lovingly referred to him as “PapPoo”, Travis (Hannah), Tyler, and Chase. Tom is also survived by twin sisters, Amy Misick (Bob) and Mary Ann Gorski (Tim); brother/sister-in-law, Larry and Diane; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Tom was well known for his athletic and community contributions. However, his family will remember him best for the great joy he received from supporting them and just spending time with them, whether at home, on the baseball field, at holidays, or at the beach.

Tom was a proud member of the Catholic faith, and a member of St. Aloysius Church, Dunbar.

Throughout his life, he was a fixture in the Fayette County educational and sports community and was known for his quick wit and outgoing personality to his many friends and acquaintances. He was a community-oriented individual; he served on the Vanderbilt Borough Council for many years, most recently as council president. Tom gave of his personal time as a youth baseball coach, PIAA umpire and referee, and was a member of numerous social organizations throughout Fayette County.

Tom was a lifelong resident of the Uniontown-Connellsville area. He graduated from North Union High in 1958, where his play on the football field earned him all county, WPIAL and state honors. He accepted a full athletic scholarship to the University of Maryland, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in 1961. While at Maryland he earned ACC and National Honors as a three-year starting tackle on both offense and defense. During his senior year he was selected to play in the Blue-Gray All Star game and was voted by the team as Maryland’s best defensive lineman and also earned the Jim Tatum Memorial Trophy.

Upon graduation, Tom began his career as an educator, coach, and PIAA sports official. Tom began his teaching and coaching career at the former Dunbar High School and later within the Connellsville Area School District, where he taught Drivers Education and Physical Education courses to thousands of students throughout his 40-year teaching career.

He coached football at Dunbar, Geibel, Uniontown and Connellsville, but will be remembered as one of Pennsylvania’s, Fayette County’s and the WPIAL’s greatest baseball coaches. He initiated the Connellsville program in 1971 and his teams won 80% of their games over 20 seasons while completing 422 victories. Tom was elected to the WPIAL Hall of Fame 2014 for leading his Connellsville teams to 10 section titles, four WPIAL Championships, and the PIAA State Championship in 1989. Tom was inducted into the Connellsville School District Hall of Fame, Fayette County Hall of Fame, and three of his teams were inducted also: 1973, 1982, and 1989. The Connellsville High School baseball field was named in his honor. Tom was commissioner, board member, coach and former player in the Fayette County and Fay-West League for 50 years. His greatest baseball achievements, however, were instilling the work ethic and fundamentals of the game into those who teach today’s generation “America’s Greatest Pastime” and sending hundreds of young men to college, many on full or partial scholarships.

Friends will be received in the VITO C. MARTUCCI FUNERAL HOME LLC, 123 S. 1st Street, West Side, Connellsville (724) 628-9033, from 2 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, May 6, and also Thursday, May 7. A blessing service will be held at 9:15 a.m. Friday, May 8, in the funeral home, followed by a Funeral Mass at 10 a.m. in St. Aloysius RC Church, with Fr. Peter Guardiano as celebrant. Interment will follow in St. Rita Cemetery.