Thomas C. Gerhard

1933 - 2022

Thomas C. Gerhard
It is with great sadness that we announce the death of three-term Carbon County Commissioner, Thomas C. "Tom" Gerhard, 89, of Hudson Drive Weath-erly. Tom passed away peacefully on Monday, Oct. 31, 2022, at home while in the tender care of his family, and beloved wife of 67 years, Betty J. (Kovalick) Gerhard.
Born on Monday, Feb. 13, 1933, in Weatherly, he was a son of the late John Homer Gerhard.
Tom was also predeceased by two sisters, Alice Boganski and Mary Meyers; and a brother, Gilbert Gerhard.
In addition to his wife Betty, Tom is survived by sons, Thomas J. Gerhard, and his wife, Susie, of Weatherly, Gary E. Gerhard, and his wife, Darlene, of Weatherly, and Barry C. Gerhard, and his wife, Andrea, of Albrightsville; daughters, Gale A. Gazdick and her husband, Joseph, of Tamaqua, and Coleen M. Gerhard of Weatherly; nine grandchildren, Jennifer Gerhard, Kathleen (Gerhard) Arrowood, Jamie Gerhard, Jackie (Gerhard) Stamatakos, Thomas Superdock, Joshua Halecky, Matthew Gazdick, Blake Gerhard and Hunter Gerhard; six great-grandchildren, Evan, Austin, Ryan Superdock, Connor Arrowood, Olive and Johnny Stamatakos; and many nieces and nephews.
Tom attended Weatherly Schools and served in the United States Army during the Korean War.
He owned the former Gerhard & Son's Roofing, and then served three terms as Carbon County Commissioner.
Tom held numerous civic and elected positions within Carbon County and Packer Township, where he resided. He served as a supervisor for Packer Township on the Carbon County Prison Board and Criminal Justice Advisory Board.
He was a member of the County Commissioners Association, which honored him as Commissioner of the Year for the State of Pennsylvania in 2002, Carbon County Environmental & Conservation District, Jim Thorpe American Legion, and Nesquehoning VFW, as well as a past chairman of the Carbon County Republican Club.
Tom enjoyed hunting, fishing, feeding the birds, and tending to his garden. Tom also enjoyed the company of his beloved cat, Blackie, who recently passed away.
Service: Funeral service noon Saturday, Nov. 5, St. Matthew's Church, 3153 Quakake Rd., Weatherly, with the Rev. Robert VonFrisch officiating. Interment with military honors, church cemetery. Call 9 a.m.-noon Saturday. Arrangements by Philip J. Jeffries Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 211 First St., Weatherly. Contributions in his name may be made to the Weatherly Area Community Library, 1518 Brenkman Dr., Weatherly, PA 18255, or the Carbon Co. Animal Shelter, 63 Broad St., Nesquehoning, PA 18240. Online condolences can be offered at www.griffithsfuneralhomes.com.