Tom was a 1963 graduate of Haverling High School and
enrolled at Corning Community College were he earned an Associate in Applied
Science Degree in Drafting in 1965. He
earned a Bachelor Degree in Mechanical Engineering from Alfred State College in
1993.
In 1965, soon after being hired at ABB Air Preheater, Tom
was called to serve his county in the U.S. Army, where he attended basic
training in Fort Riley, Kansas, then Fort Sam Houston in Texas, where he
received training as a Clinical Psychologist.
He then was deployed to the Vietnam War in 1967 where he remained until
he was honorably discharged to return home. He returned to ABB Air Preheater and once again met up with the love of his life
Deanna, whom he originally met at age 12 at a friend’s Halloween party,
introduced by his longtime childhood friend Gary Richardson. As fate would have it; and as their children
are eternally grateful; shortly after coming home, they ran into each other at
Club Valentine in Bath, NY and that is where the romance began, they were
married six months later on August 17, 1968.
Their love for each other and the love they had for family and friends
were surreal and continued throughout both of their lives, never wavering, even
through death.
Tom was dedicated to his work as an Engineer at ABB Air
Preheater for 43 years where he retired in 2008, and for some years after,
liked to return to join them for a lunchtime visit over Chinese cuisine.
Tom was an avid “almost” scratch golfer, and loved to be
outdoors having a few beers with friends.
He often played in tournaments and leagues with lifetime friends and
brothers Larry Muscato and Chuck Wiser who knew him best and cherished their
time with him as he became ill so early on in life. He enjoyed the camp life at Deer Run
campground and as kids we knew if we wanted to find our dad, we could look no
further than the Frisbee Golf Course with his favorite purple Frisbee or in
front of a campfire at our infamous “G” loop.
Although he never learned to master the technique, he loved
to play guitar, he also loved to listen to music and sing and had a beautiful
voice, but because he was shy only a few of us lucky ones got to hear him sing
his favorite songs. He loved to listen
to the oldies and found peace in music.
He loved to provide the local birds of a feather, along with the
visiting chipmunks and squirrels meals for year round enjoyment and was
insistent every bird feeder was full for his feathered friends. He thoroughly enjoyed his tractor, and took
great pride in yard maintenance and waving to passerbies. He enjoyed sitting at his computer, and as of
late, partook in some banter about recent “political” issues and was not afraid
to share his views with others. He
enjoyed reading the paper, watching late night with Jimmy Kimmel and being
knowledgeable about recent events. No
illness would keep him from attending any of his children’s or grandchildren’s
sporting events. He enjoyed watching
Mike play soccer and hockey, Tyler play football, Tristen play basketball and
Trace play soccer and could often be heard cheering and jeering the ref’s for a
bad call.
He could often, almost daily, be seen at the Modern Diner
with his daughter and/or his long time friend and brother Bill Elliot,
harassing the waitresses especially Tammy, Sharon and Morgan. He loved it all so much and enjoyed getting a
little back from them, as well as, Cheryl and Pat. He loved running into friends and
acquaintances and catching up on the here and now. After a visit to the Modern Diner he could
often be seen co-piloting Bill on a car ride site seeing.
He had a wonderful sense of humor, was a kind, gentle, and
fair man, with the highest level of integrity, honesty, and intelligence and
although his physical heart had been weak the majority of his life, his
beautiful, caring soul was beyond reproach.
Although plagued with continued health ailments, he never complained
about what was taken from him, he knew life continued to bless him with what he
still had. On January 10, 2014, he was
given a second chance at life with the implantation of a Left Ventricular Assistance
Devise (LVAD) and had been a patient at Strong Memorial Hospital since 1999.
His family is eternally grateful for the highest care and commitment in health
care advances they have ever seen. We
are humbled by the caring and compassion of all the medical staff we have been
privileged to have been connected with.
He loved to collect logo golf balls, and classic die cast
cars. He was a longtime member of the
Moose, VFW, and a lifetime member of the Elks in Bath.
He can now rest in peace with our Lord Jesus, his beloved
wife and family, where he will remain safe and comforted until the day we can
all be together again.
He is survived by a son, Michael (Rachael) Geyer of Corning,
a daughter, Stacie Woodruff of Scio, her companion, Brian Gates, three grandsons,
Tyler Green, his fiance, Tamara Schweigart, Tristen Woodruff, and Trace
Woodruff, as well as several nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased in
addition to his parents and wife by a sister, Lois “Betsy” Geyer.
Friends are invited to call on Wednesday, August 1, 2018
from 2:00 to 4:00 and 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at the J. W. Embser Sons Funeral Home
In Wellsville. The funeral will be on Thursday, August 2, at 11:00 a.m. in the
funeral home. Burial with military honors will be in Fairlawn Cemetery in Scio.
Please consider memorial donations to the American Heart Association, Home Care
& Hospice, or any charity of the donor's choice. To leave online condolences, please visit www.embserfuneralhome.com.
