Thomas C. "Tom" Gerhard

1933 - 2022

It is with great sadness that we announce the death of three-term Carbon County Commissioner Thomas C. "Tom" Gerhard, 89, of Hudson Drive, Weatherly. Tom passed away peacefully Monday at home while in the tender care of his family and beloved wife of 67 years, Betty J. (Kovalick) Gerhard.

Born Monday, Feb. 13, 1933, in Weatherly, he was the son of the late John Homer Gerhard.

Tom was also predeceased by 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, Weatherly; Gary E. Gerhard and his wife, Darlene, Weatherly; Barry C. Gerhard and his wife, Andrea, Albrightsville; daughters, Gale A. Gazdick and her husband, Joseph, Tamaqua; Coleen M. Gerhard, 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 and Ryan Superdock, Connor Arrowood and Olive and Johnny Stamatakos. Many nieces and nephews also survive Tom.

Tom attended Weatherly schools and served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War.

Tom owned the former Gerhard & Sons Roofing and then served three terms as a Carbon County commissioner. Tom held numerous civic and elected positions within Carbon County and Packer Twp., where he resided. Tom served as a supervisor for Packer Twp. 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 Veterans of Foreign Wars, 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.

Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Philip J. Jeffries Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 211 First St., Weatherly.

Funeral services will be held at noon Saturday at St. Matthew's Church, 3153 Quakake Road, Weatherly. The Rev. Robert VonFrisch will officiate. Friends may call from 9 a.m. until the time of services at the church.

Interment with military honors to be accorded will take place in the church cemetery.

Memorials in Tom's name may be made to Weatherly Area Community Library, 1518 Brenkman Drive, Weatherly, PA 18255; or Carbon County Animal Shelter, 63 Broad St., Nesquehoning, PA 18240.