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Thomas Gardner Obituary
Thomas Lee Gardner
of Vestal
Thomas Lee Gardner, born July 6, 1955 in Lyons, N.Y., passed away on Saturday, December 6, 2008, at Wilson Memorial Hospital, due to a sudden illness. Tom was predeceased by his parents, William and Virginia Gardner; and by his brother, Colonel William Gardner. Tom leaves behind his wife, Karen, daughter, Alaina and son, Austin, all of Vestal. Tom also leaves behind his brother, Jim Weeks and his wife, Susan, Cincinnati, Ohio; also his sister, Becky Scrooby and her husband, Joe, Macedon, N.Y.; his wife's parents, Eugene and Marie Rossi, Rome, N.Y.; his wife's sister, Gina Pasqualetti and her husband, John, Rome, N.Y.; also many nieces, nephews aunts and uncles, very special cousins, friends and co-workers; and his lifelong friend, John Mattimore, Binghamton. Tom was raised in Vestal, N.Y. and graduated from Vestal High School. Tom graduated from Clarkson College in 1982 with a Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering. He was a Systems Engineer at Rockwell Collins. Tom enjoyed fishing on Lake Ontario with his cousin, Bill and loved to host the annual family reunion. He loved his pets, enjoyed gardening, building projects, and hobbies with his children.
Tom's family will receive friends Monday (today) at the Coleman & Daniels Funeral Home, Inc., 765 Main St., Vestal from 4-7 p.m. A funeral service for Tom will follow the visitation at 7 p.m. at the funeral home. Burial will be at the family's convenience in Vestal Hills Memorial Park.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Thomas Gardner
Joe Raffa
January 3, 2009
Karen:
Tom was the most talented and focused member of the "Dead-End Gang". He was an artist, musician, athlete, mechanical wiz, ... He excelled at anything he experienced.
I can recollect many incredible adventures with Tom and other "gang" members in the high school and community college years.
My sincere condolences to you and your children.
Maureen Mattimore
December 12, 2008
Alaina and Austin,
I'm certain that you already know what a great man your dad was, but I want you to know that there are many, many others who also know this. He treated everyone with respect and was a great friend to my husband and me. In fact, it was because of your dad that John and I met. The rest is history. He was the best man at our wedding, and after that your mom and dad and we spent many happy evenings together.
He was very proud of both of you and always spoke of you with such love. What a special dad he was!
Melissa White
December 12, 2008
Dear Karen,
My deepest sympathies and prayers go out to you, aliana, and austin. I will never forget how good you and Tom were to me when I lived in Binghamton. I want you to know that you all are in my heart.
Love
Melissa White
Ralph Luciani
December 12, 2008
Karen,
My thoughts are with you and your entire family. I have lived on Winston Drive a house down from the Gardner's home for 36 years. I just spoke to Tom before leaving on this trip to Arizona. We always waved, smiled and had small talk when he came up to the house. Most recently he wanted to take some pictures of my Chevelle before I put it up for the winter. This comes as such a shock.
Tami Zebrowski-Darrow
December 9, 2008
Karen, I was so sad to hear of the loss of your husband. My prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time.
Helen Muscolo (Weiss)
December 9, 2008
Tom was one of my friends from the neighborhood from 4th grade through High School. He was also one of my brother's good friends so we crossed paths often. When we were younger, there were many hours spent playing outside until the street lights came on. Of course when we got older, the fun didn't even begin until AFTER the street lights came on. I have many, many fond memories of those years and of Tom. He was quite remarkable in his mechanical abilities, meticulousness and ability to play the accordian. He is still the only accordian player I have ever known! It has probably been nearly 35 years since I have had contact with Tom but I remember him with great fondness. I am shocked and deeply saddened by his passing. My thoughts, prayers, and condolences go out to his wife, children, and others who knew and loved Tom. He will be greatly missed.
Scott Parks
December 9, 2008
Karen and the Gardner Family.
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your children.
I worked with Tom at Rockwell Collins and considered myself one of Tom's friends. Tom was a great guy to work with - Easy to talk with and to learn from.
Tom and I continued to stay in touch even after I left Rockwell Collins.
I will miss Tom.
John Mattimore
December 9, 2008
Thomas,
Thanks for the great adventures,
unspoken loyalty and friendship over the many years.
Jeff and Suzanne Kobayashi
December 8, 2008
Karen,
We are deeply saddened to hear of Tom's passing. Please know that you and your family are in our thoughts.
Jim & Grace Mazzaferro Dailey
December 8, 2008
Dear Karen, Alaina and Austin,
Our sincere sympathy to all of you. Our prayers and thoughts are with you at this difficult time.
Phil Weiss
December 8, 2008
Tom was a very special part of my childhood in Vestal, which I cherish. I am proud to have counted him among my few close friends. I vividly recall sitting his his living room, impressed that he could play both the piano and accordion. Drinking a cold beer (he was allowed, because he suffered kidney stones). The occasional party at his house.
Tom was not only talented in the arts, he possessed extraordinary mechanical abilities. I suppose those who knew him through his work as an engineer already know this. As a teenager Tom built his own Heath Kit minibike and fastidiously maintained it and later his La Mans (with a Craig "Power Play" stereo).
Tom also had a mischievous side, as we all did. Those were the days (drinking age being 18). Tom had, by far, the nicest car, so he was kind enough on countless occasions to drive during our missions of debauchery. All of us who grew up with Tom in Vestal at the time (near the top of Torrance Avenue) will remember Tom well, and will miss him very, very much. Heaven is now an even more perfect place. Godspeed to Karen and all of Tom's family.
Cindy, Brandon & Ryan Gardner
December 8, 2008
Unbelievable. I was just remembering that it was 30 years this December that Bill took me to meet his family. What a December that was! The memories. Brandon, Ryan and I express our deepest sympathies to Karen, Alaina and Austin. I can see Tom being met by the gang. Rest and peace Tom. Cindy, Brandon & Ryan
Brandon Gardner
December 8, 2008
I feel how fruitless must be any words of mine that may attempt to beguile you of a loss so overwhelming. It is in severely inadequact consolation that I offer my most sincere sympathies to Karen, Alana, and Austin.
Jeanne & George Capwell
December 8, 2008
Karen,
We are so very saddened to learn of Tom's passing. Over the many years I have known you, I watched you and Tom build a beautiful home and family together, and I know he took great pleasure and satisfaction in that. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Kathy Barber
December 8, 2008
Karen
I was so sorry to read of Tom's passing. My thoughts are with you, Alaina, and Austin during this difficult time.
Mike Kaskan
December 8, 2008
Tom was my next door neighbor growing up. We spent untold hours hanging out, playing ping pong, throwing the frisbee around - and of course I spent just as many hours watching him care for his mini-bike, motorcycles and cars.
Unfortunately, we didn't keep in touch regularly after those days, but the few times I did see him, he was the same; that is, Tom was thoughtful, intelligent, warm and generous.
Mary and I will miss him.
Our hearts goes out to Karen, Alaina and Austin.
Melanie Gleason
December 8, 2008
Our thoughts are with your family. We are so sorry to hear of your loss. Tom was a big help to us when we first moved to the neighborhood, and he was always a very friendly man. We will miss him. The Gleason's
Cindi Knoblauch
December 8, 2008
Our hearts and prayers are with you, Karen and your children....we hope that you will find comfort knowing that friendship,caring, love, and faith surrounds you at such sad times...May God bless you.
With sympathy,
Cindi and Mark Knoblauch
Michael Vermilyea
December 8, 2008
Tom was a good guy and co-worker. He spoke often of his family, what was going on with them, and their new hobbies. I enjoyed talking with him as he was always very down to earth, friendly, and willing to help. He will be greatly missed as a friend and co-worker. May God comfort you in your time of need.
Mark Schotts
December 8, 2008
I was so sorry to hear of your loss. The thoughts of many are with you at this time of sorrow.
December 8, 2008
I am so sorry to hear of Tom's passing. He was a very nice man. He will be missed
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