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Thomas Smalley Obituary
Reading Center - Age 74, of Reading Center, finished the race on December 14, 2017. Tom was the owner of Smalley's Garage on Franklin Street in Watkins Glen, NY. The family business was founded in 1941 by his father Lester Smalley. Tom continued the tradition of the business as owner and operator in 1987, which just celebrated its 76th anniversary. For 40 years Tom was known throughout the dirt track racing community as the "00". He was a winner of multiple track championships, inspiring race fans both young and old. The family will receive friends and relatives on Tuesday (Dec. 19) from 1-3pm and 6-8pm at the Royce-Chedzoy Funeral Home, 212 E. 4th St., Watkins Glen. A funeral service celebrating his life will be held at the funeral home on Wednesday at 10am; followed by burial at Hillside Cemetery in Dundee. Tom was predeceased by his parents, Nathan "Lester" and Florence Smalley, brother and sisters, Gene Smalley, Sharon Bingell and Valnetta Crissinger. He is survived by his wife, Karla; children, T.J. Smalley (David Atwood) of Rochester, Chris (Michelle) Smalley of Bethalto, IL; Jerrie (Steven) Pond of Pultney, NY, Travis Bentley of Dundee, Patrick (Randi) Smalley of Hemlock, Trevor Bentley of Reading Center; brothers and sister, Robert Smalley of Beaver Dams, Michael (Ida) Smalley of Rock Stream, Kathy Lynn (Sam) Ector of Watkins Glen; 8 grandchildren and one great-grandson. Memorial donations in his memory may be made to the International Motor Racing Research Center, 610 S. Decatur St., Watkins Glen, NY. You may express condolences or "Light a Candle of Remembrance" online at www.RoyceChedzoy.com.
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Memories and Condolences
for Thomas Smalley
Sponsored by The Star-Gazette.
Fred and Fran Rice
January 16, 2018
Just received the sad news. Always enjoyed seeing Tom at the Tech reenactment on Friday during Vintage weekend at the garage. Godspeed, Condolences to family and friends.
January 9, 2018
Tom will be a big loss in this community!
Mark Stephany
December 26, 2017
Tom taught me more about working on my own car than he ever made off of repairing them for me. "Gotta be a sport to own a sports car". We'll miss him! Condolences to his family. He will be sorely missed!
Sandy Rimbey
December 22, 2017
Sorry to hear. Prayers for Karla. And the family.
TIM AND NORMA CUMMINGS
December 20, 2017
TOM WAS A GREAT PERSON LOVING COUSIN ANDWONDERFUL ALL AROUND GUY HE TRULY WILL BE MISSED AND MORE LIKE A BIG BROTHER TO US LOVING THOUGHT TO KARLA AND FAMILY
Jean Horton
December 20, 2017
With deepest condolences to Tom's family. May your grief be eased and blessed with great memories of a great guy. RIP
Jean Horton
December 20, 2017
There are no words to express my deepest sympathy at the loss of Tom. He was the funniest, kindest, loving person and BFF I've ever had the pleasure of knowing and I'd give anything to have him back in our lives. We had a lot of fun years ago with our boys and working on the stock cars at Froggy's. I'll never forget the time he found a tiny field mouse and tried to scare me with it. I carried it around in my pocket for a long time. I used to manage the motel next door and whenever my old VW bus had problems I'd park it at the garage and he would always fix it for me. I loved him then, now and always will. God Bless Tom and his family.
Gary & Cheryl Miller
December 19, 2017
Karla and the entire Smalley Sr. Family,
Tom was more than a customer at Twin Tier A.G.S., he was my friend and I loved to watch him and his dad at the track. So sorry I didn't stop in more often than I did. Cheryl and I both know that he will be missed in the years to come.
Again our most sincere condolences.
Mike VanDyke
December 19, 2017
RIP Thomas you will be missed--condolences to all the Smalley family--Mike VanDyke
GLENN LAWRENCE
December 18, 2017
He was a great friend super mechanic great driver willing to help anyone who needed it . when i started racing the 70's driving he help me out a lot. Tom was the man he will be missed by everyone who knew him.GOD SPEED TOM RIP. JEANETTE TITUS ,GENE LAWRENCE ,TERESA LAWRENCE AND THE LAWERENCE RACING TEAM NUMBER 28
J.Alan Reid MD
December 17, 2017
For many years I trusted Tom with my Jaguar repairs. Tom was both an excellent mechanic and a very honest and trustworthy man. I am glad that I had the good fortune to know Tom through the years. I missed his expertise and friendly garage banter after I left the area. When I hear thunder I will think of Tom and his racing spirit.
Richard P. Edelman
December 17, 2017
Mrs. Smalley and family,
I only knew Tom from my experience of him at
his workplace. I am now 71 (as of 12-21), and have
had cars for over 50 years. Never did I encounter
anyone else whose level of both competence and
honesty even approached that of Tom Smalley.
May the Lord comfort all of you.
Sincerely, Richard P. Edelman
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