Thomas Stephen Bielicki

Thomas Stephen Bielicki, of Verona Beach, NY and St. Johns, FL, returned to the Lord on June 1, 2025. He passed with his family at his side at his "happy place", looking out his window at Oneida Lake, waiting on a last sunset. He left this world, "skidding in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out and proclaiming, "Wow, what a ride!!!".

Tom was born in Rome, on November 15, 1942, to Genevieve and Stephen Bielicki and was baptized at St. Mary's, Rome and was a long-time congregant at St. Mary's of the Lake.

He was a proud graduate of Rome Free Academy, where he was a standout swimmer and member of the undefeated 1959 Varsity Football Team. Tom went on to graduate from Cornell University where he was on the Varsity Swim Team and the Sprint Football team. He continued his education in Ithaca, NY, where he received his BA in Economics in 1964 and he earned his MBA in Accounting in 1966 from Cornell University. It was at the Herbert V. Prochnow Graduate School of Banking at the University of Wisconsin where he earned his diploma in 1982. Tom quickly discovered that he was a much better Phi Gamma Delta (Fiji) Fraternity brother than he was a swimmer, football player or student. He returned to Cornell to complete his MBA.

Tom had a long career as a banker, first as a New York State Bank Examiner and then working, for years, at the Oneida Valley National Bank and later, becoming President and Chairman of the Board of the State Bank of Chittenango. He was also affiliated with the Independent Bankers Association of New York - Board of Directors, New York State Bankers Association - Governing Council, New York State Bankers Association - Group IV- Chairman and a member of the AIB, Robert Morris, ABA. Tom was well known in the area for approving "character" loans and led various management seminars throughout his career. The bigger the character, the more likely they would walk out of the bank with some money.

Tom was involved in Rotary International - Board of Directors and was a longtime member of Kanon Valley Country Club, Powhatan Club Oneida IDA - Board of Directors, Oneida City Hospital Foundation - Board of Directors, Vernon-Verona-Sherrill School District - Citizens Budget Committee, Chamber of Commerce - City of Oneida and the Sherrill-Kenwood Community Chest.

Earlier in life he enjoyed his time as a lifeguard at the Verona Beach State Park. He spent his favorite hours on a boat, skiing behind a boat, playing pitch and golfing. He was well known for his success on the 19th hole.

Tom was predeceased by his parents; sister, Patricia; and his twin children, Kathleen and Michael.

He is survived by his longtime companion, Peggy Duhamel, of Chapel Hill, NC; his ex-wife and the mother of this children, Patricia "Jo" Bielicki, of The Villages, FL; children, Scott (Amy) of Chittenango, Stephen (Heather) of St. Johns, FL and Sandra (William) Coulter, of Wilmington, DE; and most dear to him, his grandchildren, Grace, Emily, Andy, Lauren, Maggie, Adam and Troy.

Nothing made him happier than to have all the grandchildren at the lake, swimming, playing cards or inventing a game on the fly.

There will be a Mass of Christian Burial celebrated from St. Mary's of the Lake on July 16, 2025 at 11 a.m. with the Very Reverend James Koury, celebrating. There will be Celebration of Life on July 18, at his home, in Verona Beach.

In lieu of flowers, Tom asks that a donation, in his name, be made to Hospice and Palliative Care of New Hartford, 4277 Middle Settlement Rd., New Hartford, NY 13413 (hospicecareinc.org).

Arrangements are under the direction of the Campbell-Dean Funeral Home, 260 Main St., Oneida. To leave a message of condolence, please visit www.campbell-dean.com.