My dear dedicated servant of Jehovah, Yvonne.   my husband and I was shocked to hear about your husband Brother Vivo.  I  was in the ministry 9/7/25, a sister from my congregation said to me, did you hear that Brother Vivo  from the Allerton Congregation passed away, I was completely thrown off guard.  I replied I saw him and his wife at another friend of minds husband’s memorial about eight months ago.   Oh my goodness, I have to call Yvonne, I could not even imagine how she is feeling.  I called her a couple of times, could not reach her.  So I decided to text & she did respond.   Will definitely keep in touch with you Yvonne.  Sooooo so sad 😭.  We are very close to the end of this horrible system of things.  Please Yvonne, make sure that you, your family & friends stay very close to the one that is going to make ‘ALL’ things possible & that is our ‘Loving God, Jehovah.  Love 💕  

Charles&Vera

How do I remember my friend Tommy?

In many beautiful ways.

When I was distressed over something, he was calm and caring.

When I was struggling with something, he showed empathy and reassurance from the scriptures.

When I needed assistance, he gave of himself tirelessly - without hesitation or delay.

And I never remember him complaining.

Not one time.

If you were embarrassed or down on yourself, he would find a way to lighten your load with a touch of humor ("Homie, don't play dat!"😂)

If it was within his power to do good - he would and he did.  Time and time again (Proverbs 3:27).

I can't pray enough for his dear wife Yvonne, precious daughter Bethany and beloved sister by marriage, Marisol - and thank them for sharing him with us in Allerton and with me. May Jehovah bless you and your family with peace, strength and comfort. (Psalm 55:22)

Even though my heart aches like so many of us, Tom's exemplary life course with Jehovah still benefits and encourages me today. And he will always remind me of what a loving shepherd means.

Soon, our dear brother and friend will return with the good name he left with Jehovah, all who he loved and who loved him back.

(Revelation 21:3-5).🙏🏾💙💚❤️🙏🏾

My dad isn't a witness, so Tom hadn't seen my dad in years, but he heard he had surgery and went to the hospital to visit him. That meant so much, and he even came to the funeral. Tom you are missed!  We didn't get to do the food tour with Ernie and Rob in Little Italy, but we'll have better Italian bread in paradise! 

This is Something I will always treasure about the Vivo family - especially Tom Vivo.  They welcomed me into the congregation and into their family as a young brother. We enjoyed many great days in field service ( at Allerton ), but I loved the time we were in their home ( afternoon or evening ).  It was there that I witnessed a loving spiritual family up close. We watched Bethany grow up and Marisol get married and all the while, in the background was Bethany’s parents, and Marisol’s sister coordinating these beautiful moments that I will always be grateful for.  I didn’t have a family of my own then, but I had a blueprint of a happy family with humble Tom showing me how to take on responsibility and have fun in serving our great God Jehovah.

I’ll share this Experience: Title “His smile starts from his eyes”.

When I heard of this news, I like you had to process it and reflect on his impact on me personally.  This is what I kept thinking about. Back then, I was shy and not sure if I could take on responsibilities ( fearful of disappointing others ), so what did I do as a way to get out of doing more than the bare minimum? Ask the Vivo family and they will tell you.  I would say “I’m new in the truth”… ( meaning while I’ve been serving for many years ).  This became a running joke for Tom and my extended family the Vivo’s.  Why?  Because I remember Tom’s face when he heard me say it.  Starting with his eyes he raised an eyebrow, then smile from his eyes to his mouth. He couldn’t help but laugh at me ( yet I see it as with me ). It was then that I knew “the gig is up”.  I couldn’t get away with that excuse anymore…. Thanks a lot Tom ( smile ).  With that experience I learned a valuable lesson. That if I’m asked to do something for the congregation, just say yes and let the brothers help me do it well.

He is loved and missed.  Looking forward to seeing him “smile from his eyes” again in the new world to come.

Dear Yvonne, Bethany & Family, 

I was deeply saddened to hear of your great loss. Though many years have passed, my memories of Tom remain vivid and warm. He was truly a kind, loving, and generous person, someone who left a lasting impression on everyone who knew him.

Our hearts go out to you during this difficult time. May Jehovah grant you strength, comfort, and peace as you navigate this difficult time. “Jehovah is near to those who are brokenhearted.” —Psalm 34:18

You are in our thoughts and prayers.

With deepest sympathy,

Levi & Sophia Allen

I remember the first time I met Tom. Bethany and I had been dating for a while and Yvonne was in the hospital so Bethany brought me along to see her. When Bethany introduced us Tom didn’t say a word, he just came up to me and laid his head on my chest, hugged me and said: “thank you”. We laughed and assumed Tom was poking fun at Bethany but as I got to know Tom better I understood this differently. Tom had immense concern for the safety and well being of his family and it caused him great stress. I believe he was thankful when we met because he could now share that worry with someone else. I could see that Tom loved his daughter greatly and he was relieved that someone else might care for her now.

When I think of Tom, I think of Prov 17:17 which says: “A true friend shows love at all times And is a brother who is born for times of distress.”  Tom didn’t always show his love through words or affection but more often showed his love by his actions and by giving help when you needed him.

Tom gave special attention to those who needed it most. He took to heart James 1:27 “ The form of worship that is clean and undefiled from the standpoint of our God and Father is this: to look after orphans and widows in their tribulation, and to keep oneself without spot from the world.”

And now, I have the opportunity to follow his good example and look after Bethany and Yvonne just like he has done for many others in the same situation.

I will surely miss him but I know he belongs to Jehovah and I will see him again.

Rom 14:7,8  "Not one of us, in fact, lives with regard to himself only, and no one dies with regard to himself only.  For if we live, we live to Jehovah, and if we die, we die to Jehovah. So both if we live and if we die, we belong to Jehovah."