Thomas L. Deis, 77, of Woodgate and formerly of Old Forge, passed away unexpectedly on July 29, 2014 with his family at his side at St. Elizabeth Medical Center in Utica.
He was born May 30, 1937 in Old Forge, a son of LeRoy W. and Dorotha (Stark) Deis, and graduated from Town of Webb Schools in 1955. Tom entered the U. S. Army that same year, and was honorably discharged in 1958 after serving primarily in Germany. He was united in marriage with Rebecca Walton on June 28, 1960 at St. Bartholomew’s Church in Old Forge.
Tom worked at many occupations over his lifetime. He was the cook at the Knotty Pine Restaurant in Old Forge from 1958 until the mid-1970s and later at the Buffalo Head Restaurant in Forestport.
He worked at the Town of Webb Highway Department for 17 years, serving as Superinten-dent for two terms, then worked as a tow truck operator for Paul Morin in Old Forge for 17 years, from where he eventually retired.
In keeping with his enjoyment of being around people, Tom held memberships in several organizations including Boonville Elks Lodge 2158, Boonville-Uriel #165 F&AM, Harland J. Hennessey VFW Post 5538 (Boonville), Covey-Pashley Post 893 American Legion (Old Forge), and as a lifetime member and past President of the Old Forge Fire Department.
He was a member of Niccolls Memorial Presbyterian Church, Old Forge.
In his leisure time, Tom enjoyed wood carving, flower gardening, reading fiction (especially mysteries and books written by James Patterson), sitting with his wife at the White Lake beach and watching the boats and water-skiers, bowling, driving, and spending the winter months with the family RV in Arizona.
In addition to Becky, his wife of 54 years, he is survived by three daughters and two sons, Patricia Smith of Hamilton, NY, Karen Gambino and her husband, Leonard, of Pompton Lakes, NJ, James Deis and his wife, Noel, of Knightdale, NC, Ann Greene and her husband, William, Jr., of Thendara, and Steven Deis and his wife, Deanna, of Alden, NY; 10 grandchildren, Rachael, Nicole, Jessica, James, Jenna, Joshua, Megan, Emily, Morgan and Jacob; seven great-grandchildren, Alexis, Ariana, Destiny, Atheena, Timothy, Landon and Peyton; three brothers and three sisters, John William (Janet) Deis, Lloyd Deis, Lawrence (Michelle) Deis, Georgina Hollister, Jean (Ray) Yamane and Terry (Tiny) Lehnen; and many nieces, nephews and close friends. He was predeceased by two brothers and a sister, Burton and Roscoe Deis, and Lorene Russo.
The family would like to thank Dr. El-Amir and his office staff, the nursing staff at StEMC ICU, and the doctors and staff at the Regional Cancer Center at Faxton for their kind and compassionate care given to Tom throughout his illness.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, August 16, 2014 at 11 a.m. at Niccolls Memorial Presbyterian Church in Old Forge. In accordance with Tom’s wishes, there are no calling hours.
In lieu of flowers, friends are asked to consider a donation in Tom’s memory to the Old Forge Fire Department, P.O. Box 1170, Old Forge, NY 13420.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Dimbleby, Friedel, Williams & Edmunds Funeral Home in Old Forge. Online messages of sympathy may be left at: www.dfwefh.com.
