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Wayne VanThof Obituary
Rochester: September 22, 2015, at age 64 unexpectedly in St. Louis, MO. Wayne was predeceased by parents, Robert Van Thof and Mertice E. Wallace and his brother, Blake Van Thof.
Wayne is survived by twin sisters, Julie Van Thof and Holly Van Thof (Wadhams) and brother-in-law, Tad Wadhams; nieces and nephews, Sarah Cameron (Dave), Matthew Zimmerman (Emily), Elizabeth Leadbetter (Tony), Blake Van Thof, Keaton Van Thof, Camille Sample and Chelsea Van Thof. Also surviving, Brecken and Curren McGeough, his great nephews to whom he was devoted as a surrogate grandfather.
Wayne was born in Rochester and spent most of his life here. Wayne grew up in the Browncroft Neighborhood, attended #46 school, East High and Rochester Business Institute. He graduated from Rochester Institute of Technology and obtained his Masters in Finance from the University of Pittsburgh.
Wayne spent his early business career at Xerox, Unisys and CSC as a financial officer before becoming a financial advisor at RBC DAin Rauscher and Wells Fargo Advisors, where he co-founded the local Wells Fargo Advisors Office of Lipski, Sydeski, Van Thof and Katz. Wayne was a member of The Genesee Valley Club. Wayne's kindness, generosity and enthusiasm touched many people's lives. The family wishes to thank Wayne's dear friends, colleagues and the investment officers of Wells Fargo Advisors.
Please see Wednesday's Obituary for time and day of service.
Please consider honoring Wayne with a donation to Juvenile Diabetes Assoc., 1200 Scottsville Rd. #A, 14624. Online condolences welcomed at:
To plant trees in memory, please visit theĀ Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Wayne VanThof
Vicki Ruff
September 21, 2021
Hard to believe Wayne has been gone six years. I can still hear his laugh and see his smile. I always felt safe around Wayne- he really listened and truly cared. I will always miss him.
Suzanne Morley
September 21, 2020
It is so hard to believe that Wayne has been gone for 5 years! He was one in a million, a loyal friend to my brother Seamus Tuohey! One of the things I miss most about Wayne was his fabulous sense of humor. He was a great story teller and together with his sense of humor he shined with a great intellect! We miss you Wayne.
Hope you and Seamus are finding some intrigue & trouble together againā¤
September 21, 2019
I still miss him and his stories of Brecken and Curren. He had so many friends, which is always an indicator to me of a special soul. Wayne loved life and it hurts that he passed away at such an early age.
Anne McGeough
Faith Chandler
October 3, 2015
Holly and Julie, please accept my condolences on the loss of Wayne.
Keith Germano
October 2, 2015
Wow what a shocker Wayne was a great guy always smiling and welcoming. Like many I remember Wayne from back in the days when we were "little sneakers" and hung around the Scoop. Wayne was always dressed to the nines and looked like a million we would see each other in the airport on the way to some place for work,you couldn't find a nicer guy he will be missed by many but remembered by even more. Rest in peace brother see you on the other side!
Delnita Kraenzel
October 1, 2015
Wayne was a great mentor and leader to me at Unisys. I treasure our times we spent together when I first went into management. He was a joy to be around and I learned so much from him. RIP
Ginger Case Worrell
October 1, 2015
Remembering Wayne from our days at East High School with his great smile and contagious laugh. So sorry to hear of his passing. Blessings to his family.
Joan Anderson Cotner
September 30, 2015
My deepest condolences and heartfelt sympathy. I didn't share the same as many, I knew Wayne from #46 and early childhood friends with Julie & Holly. Thinking of you all...
Ed Sterba
September 30, 2015
Wayne was a great friend and work associate at Unisys. He cared greatly about people and especially his family. He will be truly missed. Condolences to his family and friends. We will miss you Wayne. Rest in peace.
Tracy Picone
September 30, 2015
Wayne was a close childhood friend of my husbands, Mark Picone. When he became a financial advisor in 2002, we signed on with him. We had just moved to Austin, TX, but the miles were no obstacle. Mark knew we would be in good hands.
I handle most of the communication with our advisors, so naturally I got to know him well through this process.
I am so very very sad since hearing of his sudden death last Tuesday. On that day I had an edible fruit arrangement in my refrigerator from Wayne for my birthday, and two phone appointments scheduled with him on my calendar.
He and I had spent so much time on the phone meeting and planning for retirement. He is one of the best professionals (in any profession) that I ever have had contact with. But more importantly he became a great friend of mine. All of the entries in this guest book are true. He was a wonderful listener. He genuinely cared about our family. And we had so many laughs! Financial planning was never so fun!
He was so happy with his family, and so proud of all of his nieces and nephews. I am so sorry that we were not able to make the trip to Rochester for his visitation and service. I really wanted to meet with and hear from all of Wayne's family and friends, and other clients of his. RIP Wayne. I will miss you so much.
Laurie McGrath
September 29, 2015
I met Wayne through the Williams family here in Rochester. I only saw him at the parties they would have at their house; he always made a point to ask how I was, taking the time to be with me. He had a way of making people feel they were special but Wayne you were indeed the special one! You were a gift to all...Blessings with love .....
Mary Jo Cluet
September 29, 2015
Wayne was a great friend to my brother Seamus and to our family.
His kindness, sense of humor and generous spirit will be greatly missed. Rest in peace Wayne.
My deepest condolences to his family.
Ray & Donna Kulik
September 29, 2015
We were shocked to learn about Wayne's passing. Our condolences go out to his family. He is in our thoughts and prayers. We will miss him.
Rich Hine
September 28, 2015
Saddened to hear that he is gone. I met him in little league at Cobbs Hill. He was so short that pitchers had a terrible time pitching to him. I will miss his laugh. A class act. RIP Wayne. We will tip one in your honor at the next reunion.
Christi Williams
September 28, 2015
My deepest condolences go out to Wayne's family. I was one of the MANY very fortunate people to have Wayne in my life for over 20 years. I have hundreds of memories and times spent with Wayne. One that comes to mind right now is when Reed and I were staying at Wayne's while visiting. I was trying to go to sleep upstairs in his guest room and kept hearing Wayne and Reed laughing like teenagers. I went downstairs to find them watching the movie Kingpin and wiping tears of laughter from their eyes. I will forever remember his contagious laugh and forever cherish every moment that I was lucky enough to spend with him. You will forever remain in my heart Wayner!!
Sam/Sandy Morrow
September 28, 2015
MET WAYNE AT #46 SCHOOL. I WAS FAIRLY NEW, BUT WAYNE WENT OUT OF HIS WAY TO INTRODUCE ME TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD. HE ALWAYS GAVE 100%. HE WAS AN UNCONDITIONAL FRIEND. THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH HIS FAMILY DURING THIS DIFFICULT TIME - THEY ALWAYS CAME FIRST.
September 28, 2015
My thoughts and prayers with your family. I knew Wayne starting in 6th grade at #46 school and through our East High School days and into our mid twenties. He was a great friend and will be missed by all. Rest in peace old buddy.
Anne McGeough
September 28, 2015
Jack and I have been clients of Wayne's for many years, but he became a close friend also. He knew all our kids' and grandkids' names and always wanted to hear what was new with them all. He adored our grandsons, Brecken and Curren, and loved to tell me the latest happenings in their lives. We trusted him implicitly with our finances and his shoes will be tough to fill. I, like so many others who have signed the guest book, will miss his ready smile and infectious laugh. Wayne truly loved life and we will all miss him greatly.
Anne McGeough, Mureells Inlet, SC
Mary Ellen Liss
September 28, 2015
Wayne was a wonderful friend and all around great person. He will be missed very much. Our thoughts and prayers are with his beautiful family during this very difficult time.
Nancy Hasenauer
September 28, 2015
Wayne was such a great friend and mentor to my brother, Seamus. I can just imagine the conversation they are sharing up in heaven at this very moment... Thoughts and prayers to his family.
Jim Arneson
September 28, 2015
Very much looked up to and admired Wayne.
His unique laugh will always be remembered.
Cindea Boorum
September 28, 2015
Such shocking news. My condolences to his family. East High School fellow graduate rest in peace.
Bob Strosser
September 28, 2015
Wayne, was an exceptional person, always friendly, outgoing, positive and opinionated but willing to listen. I enjoyed working with him both at Xerox ans Uniys and will miss him very much. Bob Strosser
Jeff Van Thof
September 28, 2015
To Wayne's immediate family - my Thoughts and Prayers are with you during this hard time. I personally will miss his smile - his laugh - his emails - his texts or going to breakfast. I know his love for his siblings and extended family was second to none. He glowed when he talked about them. He helped me in many ways and I appreciated his kindness and wisdom. I will miss him! But I always will remember him! Peace and love be with you always -
Gil Piddington
September 28, 2015
Wayne and I began working together at Unisys in 1992 on a massive IT project to dramatically reduce costs quickly. In a pioneering project we faced great difficulties politically, financially, logistically and personally. Together, we got it done and over delivered across the board with the help of many other capable professionals.
When Wayne became a financial adviser I'm proud and happy that I became one of his early clients. I trusted, respected and enjoyed him always. We've all lost a wonderful man and terrific friend.
Mark Chaplin
September 27, 2015
Wayne was a great guy, great neighbor. He always had dog treats in his trunk, when driving by while we were walking the dogs he'd stop and give the dogs some love and treats. A quiet stand up guy, his neighbors will miss him.
September 27, 2015
Like many others, I am still in shock. Wayne was always a great guy with so many friends. My condolences to his family, other friends and co-workers. Wayne, please rest in peace and know you will be in our thoughts and prayers.
Eric Larson
Fort Myers, Florida
Vicki Ruff
September 27, 2015
Wayne is one of the most special people I've ever known... warm, positive, generous and loyal. Although we were first cousins, I did not get to know him until he moved back to Rochester to help care for his mother, which left a huge impression on me. We did not spend nearly enough time together, but he was right there when I needed love and support, and I knew he always would be. Wayne made the time and effort to stay in touch, even with my parents, which meant the world to them and to me. We counted on him every Christmas Eve to bring people together and put them at ease; from the old folks to the young kids. He always arrived with 5-6 boxes of baked goods from Malek's; far more than any of us could consume. He loved to be generous and to make people happy. So many people knew and loved Wayne, and I was proud to call him my cousin. I know he is in a good place, but our hearts are broken. I wish I had spent more time with him, but will follow his example to spend more time with the people I love. Christmas Eve will never be the same without Wayne, but we will remember him always.
Marti Overmire Carver
September 27, 2015
A childhood friend, always missed. So sorry to hear he left us all too soon.
Suzanne Tuohey Morley
September 27, 2015
Wayne was a close friend of my late brother, Seamus Tuohey. They worked hard & played hard together! We will miss Wayne's wonderful smile, his warm heart and his sense of humor. We have lost a special friend! Miss you Wayne...
Linda Abbamonte
September 27, 2015
My sincere sympathies to Wayne's family. He is going to be missed by so many people. He was the glue that held the Eastsiders together. I will miss his phone calls as I know many others will too. He truly cared for so many people. My heart is broken that he is gone so soon. I will miss that smile. I have known you since grammar school so that is a lot of years. God Bless You and keep you. Till we meet again.
Karen Delorm Mayo
September 27, 2015
Our prayers to Wayne's family. The few times I saw Wayne over the past years always brought back old memories - my 1st boyfriend, meeting at the Scoop, singing to Beach Boys Music. Fast forward to Wayne's World and the great job he did. RIP Wayne.
George Skivington
September 27, 2015
A great guy and a trusted adviser
Kenn Mastrodonato
September 27, 2015
My condolences.
Donald Hilliard
September 27, 2015
Wayne was a good guy, friend and a guide post in our retirement.
We'll miss him.
Our condolences to the family.
Don and Janet Hilliard
Su Crawford
September 27, 2015
Wayne will be missed by family and friends. I'm so sorry that we lost a special man.
September 27, 2015
So many good memories of Wayne at Barrington Park.
The Nugent Family
Wendy Wigmore Jackson
September 27, 2015
Sending my prayers and thoughts to Wayne's family. He was a wonderful person. I have fond memories of my high school days with Wayne.
Susie Mangano
September 26, 2015
Wayne was a great guy and will be missed! Nobody could have pulled off Wayne's World like he did.
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Crawford Funeral Home Inc495 N Winton Rd PO Box 10280, Rochester, NY 14610
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