Thomas L. Meyers

Thomas L. Meyers, a loving husband, father, grandfather and friend of many, passed away on Friday, January 20, 2006 after a long illness in Orange Regional Medical Center at Horton. He was 78.

The son of the late Charles E. and Mary Alice Rampe Meyers, he was born April 8, 1927 in Brooklyn, N.Y.

He spent his childhood residing in Wurtsboro, N.Y. and moved to Middletown when he married his wife of 52 years, Mary Arlene Dineen. Tom retired from Orange and Rockland Utilities after 40-plus years of service. He served his country in the Navy during World War II. He was a 47-year member of the McQuoid Engine and Ladder Co. #3 serving as a past Captain and past President; an active member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks Lodge 1097; a parishioner of St. Joseph Catholic Church, Middletown; and a past member of the Wurtsboro Fire Company and the Mamakating Hunting Club. His hobbies included hunting, fishing, working in his garden, working Bingo Friday nights, dining out with his O & R buddies and working as a jack-of-all-trades.

A statement from his family reads, "Tom was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. He was our strength, our backbone and our foundation. He touched everyone's heart that he met, with the smile on his face and the twinkle in his blue eyes. He will be sadly missed by all. Drive Slow Dad, Drive Slow."

Tom is survived by his loving and devoted wife at home; his son, Thomas C. Meyers and his longtime companion, Eileen Boomhower, of New Jersey; four daughters: Mary Lynn "Myn" Beam of Winterton, Patricia A. Meyers of Middletown, Joanne G. Eherts-Shurter and her husband, George Shurter, of Howells and Arlene M. Stevens of Otisville; six grandchildren: Erin L. and Nicole S. Beam, Mark R. and Shane T. Eherts and Kayla M. and Abby I. Stevens. He is also survived by two sisters, Joan Welch and her husband, Joel, of Wurtsboro and Marguerite Croce of Modena; his brother, Joseph Meyers and his wife, Kathy, of North Carolina; and several nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

He was predeceased by his brother, Charles Meyers; his sister, Regina Hanretta and her husband, Larry; and brother-in-law, Russell Croce.

Friends may call on Monday, January 23, 2006 from 2-4 & 7-9 p.m. at Morse Funeral Home Inc., 33 Railroad Ave., Middletown with Elks Services at 7:30 p.m., Fire Company Services at 7:45 p.m. and prayer services at 8 p.m.

A Mass of the Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, January 24 at 11 a.m. in St. Joseph Catholic Church, 149 Cottage St., Middletown. Burial will follow in Wallkill Cemetery, Phillipsburg, N.Y.

Donations in Tom's name may be made to the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation, 259 Rt 17K W. Wing Blg, Newburgh, NY 12550.

Arrangements are under the guidance of the Morse Funeral Home, Inc.