Thomas Molito, 79, of Pound Ridge, a first-generation college graduate who went on to a successful corporate and entertainment career, died Sunday, Aug. 18.
Molito was born Aug. 30, 1944, to Angelina “DeeDee” and Edward Molito in the Bronx. A graduate of Roosevelt High School in Yonkers, he was a first-generation college student earning a degree in business from Iona University.
In 1966, Molito was drafted into the U.S. Army and served as a postal administrative specialist at Fort Hood, Texas. It was during this time that his lifelong love of media and human connection was born. He earned the National Defense Service Medal and was honorably discharged.
After the Army, Molito held several positions in the corporate world, first at Nestlé and then at UST. He launched Cabin Fever Entertainment, a media company focused on Americana programming. He helped usher in the age of VHS, producing widely viewed entertainment properties including “Lonesome Dove,” “The Little Rascals,” “The 500 Home Run Club” and “Freebird: The Movie.” He was on the board of the Country Music Association and received several RIAA Certified Gold Records for producing.
Molito’s family said his curious nature, kindness and family will be his greatest legacy.
Molito is survived by his wife of 47 years, Kathleen Kane-Molito, his children, Christine Labov (Paul), Luke Molito (Elisa), and Laura Molito (John), as well as seven grandchildren.
The family is receiving friends from 4 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 21, at Clark Associates Funeral Home, located at 4 Woods Bridge Road, Katonah.
A Mass of Christian Burial is set for 10 a.m. on Thursday, Aug. 22, at St. Mary of the Assumption Roman Catholic Church, located at 55 Valley Road, Katonah. Burial will follow at the Pound Ridge Cemetery.
The family asks that any charitable donations be made to the Anthony Rizzo Family Foundation at https://arizzofoundation.org/.