Thomas C. Soyke

1959 - 2023

Thomas Charles Soyke, 63, of Irwin, died Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2023. He was born March 26, 1959, as the youngest child of the late Edgar A. and P. Jean Soyke of Irwin. Tom loved to cook game meat for his family and there was always a variety of game meat in the Soyke freezers. He served as the cook in the household as his parents aged. He had a great sense of humor and could find a joke in any occasion. His niece, Lisa, tells a story of Tom tricking her into eating bear meat by swearing that it was not venison. After he could no longer hunt, Tom built supported brush piles in the yard as little homes for some of the critters that he loved to feed (bunnies, chipmunks, squirrels, and even one skunk). Tom was known for being a skilled pool player. He is survived by his son, Thomas Edgar Soyke, of California; older siblings, Becky, of Turnersville, N.J., Bill, of Hanover, and Jenny, Kathy and Cindy, all of Portland, Ore.; nieces and nephews, Jordana, Rachael, Doug, Danny, Lisa, Anna and Susan; along with their children; maternal aunts, Madilyn and Marilyn, of Altoona; and numerous maternal and fraternal cousins. His family will hold a celebration of life at 2 p.m. Sunday, March 12, 2023, at the Irwin Fraternal Order of Eagles, 211 2nd St., Irwin. Since Tom disliked funerals, this is intended to be a casual gathering of memories, stories and laughs. WILLIAM SNYDER FUNERAL HOME, Irwin, 724-863-1200, is handling arrangements. For online condolences, please visit www.snyderfuneralservices.com.