Thomas J. Guard

GENEVA- Thomas J. Guard, 69, of Geneva passed away on Wednesday August 23, 2023 at Geneva General Hospital.

Tom was born on May 22, 1954 in Geneva, N.Y., the son of the late Louis H. and Cleta (Murphy) Guard. He graduated from DeSales High School in 1972 and went on to earn degrees from Finger Lakes Community College and the Rochester Institute of Technology. He began his long career in law enforcement and public safety while attending college in 1974 as a part-time jail deputy. In 1980 he became a road patrol deputy with the Ontario County Sheriff's Department where early in his career he served on the SCUBA search and rescue team and later proudly served in local schools as a D.A.R.E. Officer. Upon his retirement from the road patrol he rejoined the Sheriff's Department as an Investigator in the Department's Background Investigations Unit. He permanently retired in December of 2022 after 48 years of full-time service to Ontario County.

Tom was designated a life member of the Nester Hose Company of the Geneva Fire Department and had recently marked 50 years of service with the Nester Hose. He was a faithful member of Our Lady of Peace Parish in Geneva.

Tom had a gentle and kind spirit and an ethic of humble and quiet service to others and his community. In 1981 he met the love of his life and best friend, Josie, with whom he had three children. As a husband and father Tom dedicated himself to his family and community throughout his life. He coached little league, organized Scouting trips and projects, led the Geneva Football Boosters, and was a steady, constant hand for his family, friends, and neighbors. He loved life in the Finger Lakes, boating, fishing, spending time with family and his beloved grandchildren at the family cottage on Seneca Lake, and doing projects or favors with his orange 1972 Ford 100 pickup truck.

Tom is survived by his wife Josephine; sons, Louis H. (Kirra) Guard of Geneva, Michael C. (Meghan) Guard of Geneva, and Phillip J. Guard of Syracuse, N.Y.; grandchildren, Louis H. "Hank" Guard III, John Thomas Guard, Emmet P. O. Guard, and Madison Grace Guard; brother, Robert (Patricia) Guard of Geneva; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

He was predeceased by his parents, Louis and Cleta and his brothers, Howard, Alan (Betty Furr), Patrick, and E. Louis Guard.

Family and friends may call on Sunday (August 27) from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the McGuigan & Bero Funeral Home, 45 High St., Geneva. Members of the Nester Hose will meet at the funeral home on Sunday at 5 pm. Funeral services will be held on Monday (August 28) with prayers at 9:30 a.m. at the funeral home and a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. at St. Stephen's Roman Catholic Church. Burial will be in Glenwood Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made in Tom's honor to the ALS Association, Upstate New York Chapter. The family wishes to extend their deepest gratitude to the friends, family, and professional staff that supported Tom through his journey with ALS.

For tributes and condolences please visit www.mcguiganberofuneralhome.com.