It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Thomas E. Hemmes, age, 64 on March 22, 2025 after a long illness.

Tom was born in Rome, and lived a life of love for his family, his pets, as well as for planes, muscle cars and the color purple. He is survived by his siblings, David (Patricia) Hemmes, and Suzanne (Hemmes) Smith; as well as numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by his parents, Paul L. and Marian L. (Wheaton) Hemmes; sisters, Marilyn (Robert) Hoffman, Carol Jo Lawicki, and Nina Hemmes; and brother, Robert Hemmes.

Tom attended Rome schools, was a graduate of Riverside School of Aeronautics and at his last job enjoyed painting airplanes at Premier Aviation.

As a young boy, Tom showed an interest in Radio Controlled (RC) planes, model cars/planes and slot cars. Tom belonged to the Mohawk Valley Firebirds and was the go-to guy to help others fly (and land) their planes. He spent his time working on restoration projects of fast-back Mustangs and vintage cars. Tom loved to pass his knowledge of cars along to family members and taught a niece to rebuild a carburetor, and another to drive a stick shift.

Tom was intelligent, creative and kindhearted. He liked to recite old Monty Python skits and he and his nephew would listen to JC Superstar so much that most of the family can sing every song on the album. He was also slightly eccentric and took family members looking for big-foot and UFOs! He was always young at heart and would play the air drums while his youngest niece sang.

Thank you to all friends and family who encouraged and helped Tom throughout the years - especially Joe Valvo, Mike and Lynne Browne and Lori Stewart.

"Check ignition. And may God's love be with you." Major Tom - we love you.

A graveside memorial will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers please contribute to your charity of choice in Tom's name.

Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the Barry Funeral Home, 807 W. Chestnut Street.

Please offer online condolences at: www.BarryFuneralHome.com.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Daily Sentinel from Mar. 27 to Mar. 28, 2025.

Memories and Condolences
for Thomas Hemmes

Sponsored by Barry Funeral Home - Rome.

3 Entries

Lori

March 27, 2025

Tom is/was very special to me. We loved driving around for hours. Watching headbangers ball on Saturday nights. Loved heavy metal music in the 80´s. We grew up together and he taught me a lot of cool things. Taught me how to change my oil, change a tire and undercoat my car for the winter. Taught me how to drive when I was 12 years old in my grams car! Taught me how to drive a stick shift in his orange firebird? Or was it a trans am? Hmmm...
We were together a lot and I have a ton of memories with him. Loved riding around looking for UFO´s and Bigfoot!
We would pull off somewhere on a dirt road and lay on the hood of the car and look at the stars and just talk for hours. I will miss him sooooo much.

Lori

March 27, 2025

Tom is/was very special to me. We grew up together and he taught me a lot of cool things. How to work on my car, change the oil, change a tire, and undercoat my car for the winter. He taught me how to drive when I was 12 years old with Gram´s car! Haha! We use to ride around all the time for hours. We loved watching headbangers ball on Saturday nights! We loved heavy metal music in the 80´s. Taught me how to drive a stick shift in his orange I think it was a trans am... Maybe a firebird? It had a lot of power!!!
We were together a lot and I have a ton of memories with him. Loved going out looking for UFO´s, and looking for Bigfoot! We would sit on the hood of the car and just look at the stars and talk for hours. He was more than an uncle to me he was also my friend. I will forever love him and never forget all the great times we had. Miss you Uncle Tom!
Love your favorite niece,
Lori

Stephanie Schell

March 27, 2025

Shared his knowledge with other people.

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