Thomas and Patricia Mignogna  (Tom and Pat)

Born in towns 95 miles apart--Tom in Sharon Hill, Pennsylvania, and Pat (nee Wolfgang) in Hershey, Pennsylvania—both pursued education beyond high school diplomas.  Pat received a RN diploma from the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania.  Tom, before going to college, worked as an electrical draftsman with Westinghouse Electric Corporation, completed a full electrical apprenticeship with the Pennsylvania Railroad, and served for eight years with the U.S. Naval Air Reserve.  He completed undergraduate studies in 1968 at Drexel University (B.S.) and graduate work (MBA) in 1974 at Lynchburg College.

 In 1954, the Wolfgang and Mignogna families became next door neighbors in Sharon Hill and Pat, on an August visit, decided to help with some household chores.  She had a brush in hand to paint a screen door when Tom appeared to do some electrical work for Mr. Wolfgang.  Almost love at first sight, the two became engaged on Valentine’s Day 1955 and married that year in May.

Pat worked as a nurse at the Hospital of University of Pennsylvania and then as an assistant to a dentist.  With the arrival of two sons, Paul (deceased 2014) and Gary, she applied her knowledge and skills to childrearing and housework.  During these years her hobbies included oil and acrylic painting and knitting.  She also became accomplished in needlepoint, crewel embroidery, and cross stitch.  

The Mignognas moved to Lynchburg in 1970, when Tom was promoted to General Manager of the Limitorque Corporation. After the boys started college, and Pat worked for Lynchburg Urological Associates for 13 years.  She held membership in Beta Sigma Phi Sorority and, along with Tom, has been an active member of Holy Cross Catholic Church.  In 1991, the built a new home at Smith Mountain Lake where both became enthusiastic volunteers with the SML Charity Home Tour and Lake Christian ministries, and became members of the Resurrection Catholic Church in Moneta. 

 While Pat pursued her interests, Tom accumulated over fifty years of significant business experience.  He joined Limitorque in 1961, eventually became Senior Vice President of International Manufacturing and established facilities in  Mexico, Canada, England, Holland, Australia, Singapore, Japan, India, and mainland China.  Pat accompanied Tom to all of these countries except India and China.   At the time of his retirement in 1995, Tom had risen to the position of President, Chairman and CEO of the Limitorque Corporation of Lynchburg, Virginia.

Once retired, Tom’s active life in the business world did not stop. He founded TSM Associates, Inc., a mentoring and strategic planning consulting firm.  Along with nine others, he raised funds to start Community First Bank of Lynchburg (today American National Bank), and was the board’s chairman for five years.  He also has served on numerous boards, both businesses and nonprofits, such as UVB/Crestar Bank, Lynchburg, for ten years; PBM, Inc., Pittsburgh, for 13 years; IAG/MAX Torque, Limerick, Maine; Lynchburg College School of Business and Economics Advisory Board; Drexel University College of Engineering Advisory Board for six years.   Locally, Tom has assisted various churches with building and expansion projects. 

 Today, Tom enjoys traveling, golfing, boating, and most of all music and playing his bass fiddle.  Currently, Pat does machine embroidery and makes personal greeting cards.   The couple spends enjoyable time with Gary, his wife Denise, and two adult grandchildren.  A second daughter-in-law, two more adult grandchildren and two great-grandsons live in Louisiana, unfortunately too far away to make frequent visits.