Scio, NY - Thomas G. Geyer, 72, of 4056 State Route 19, went to be with our Lord on Friday, July 27, 2018 surrounded by his loving family. He was born October 6, 1945 in Bath, the son of George and Lois (Divens) Geyer. On August 17, 1968 in Bath he married Deanna Lee Perkins who predeceased him on September 16, 2007.
Tom was a 1963 graduate of Haverling High School and enrolled at Corning Community College were he earned an Associate in Applied Science Degree in Drafting in 1965. He earned a Bachelor Degree in Mechanical Engineering from Alfred State College in 1993.
In 1965, soon after being hired at ABB Air Preheater, Tom was called to serve his county in the U.S. Army, where he attended basic training in Fort Riley, Kansas, then Fort Sam Houston in Texas, where he received training as a Clinical Psychologist. He then was deployed to the Vietnam War in 1967 where he remained until he was honorably discharged to return home.
He returned to ABB Air Preheater and once again met up with the love of his life Deanna, whom he originally met at age 12 at a friends Halloween party, introduced by his longtime childhood friend Gary Richardson. As fate would have it; and as their children are eternally grateful; shortly after coming home, they ran into each other at Club Valentine in Bath, NY and that is where the romance began, they were married six months later on August 17, 1968. Their love for each other and the love they had for family and friends were surreal and continued throughout both of their lives, never wavering, even through death.
Tom was dedicated to his work as an Engineer at ABB Air Preheater for 43 years where he retired in 2008, and for some years after, liked to return to join them for a lunchtime visit over Chinese cuisine.
Tom was an avid “almost” scratch golfer, and loved to be outdoors having a few beers with friends. He often played in tournaments and leagues with lifetime friends and brothers Larry Muscato and Chuck Wiser who knew him best and cherished their time with him as he became ill so early on in life. He enjoyed the camp life at Deer Run campground and as kids we knew if we wanted to find our dad, we could look no further than the Frisbee Golf Course with his favorite purple Frisbee or in front of a campfire at our infamous “G” loop.
Although he never learned to master the technique, he loved to play guitar, he also loved to listen to music and sing and had a beautiful voice, but because he was shy only a few of us lucky ones got to here him sing his favorite songs. He loved to listen to the oldies and found peace in music. He loved to provide the local birds of a feather, along with the visiting chipmunks and squirrels meals for year round enjoyment and was insistent every bird feeder was full for his feathered friends. He thoroughly enjoyed his tractor, and took great pride in yard maintenance and waving to passerbies. He enjoyed sitting at his computer, and as of late, partook in some banter about recent “political” issues and was not afraid to share his views with others. He enjoyed reading the paper, watching late night with Jimmy Kimmel and being knowledgeable about recent events. No illness would keep him from attending any of his children’s or grandchildren’s sporting events. He enjoyed watching Mike play soccer and hockey, Tyler play football, Tristen play basketball and Trace play soccer and could often be heard cheering and jeering the ref’s for a bad call.
He could often, almost daily, be seen at the Modern Diner with his daughter and/or his long time friend and brother Bill Elliot, harassing the waitresses especially Tammy, Sharon and Morgan. He loved it all so much and enjoyed getting a little back from them, as well as, Cheryl and Pat. He loved running into friends and acquaintances and catching up on the here and now. After a visit to the Modern Diner he could often be seen co-piloting Bill on a car ride site seeing.
He had a wonderful sense of humor, was a kind, gentle, and fair man, with the highest level of integrity, honesty, and intelligence and although his physical heart had been weak the majority of his life, his beautiful, caring soul was beyond reproach. Although plagued with continued health ailments, he never complained about what was taken from him, he knew life continued to bless him with what he still had. On January 10, 2014, he was given a second chance at life with the implantation of a Left Ventricular Assistance Devise (LVAD) and had been a patient at Strong Memorial Hospital since 1999. His family is eternally grateful for the highest care and commitment in health care advances they have ever seen. We are humbled by the caring and compassion of all the medical staff we have been privileged to have been connected with.
He loved to collect logo golf balls, and classic die cast cars. He was a longtime member of the Moose, VFW, and a lifetime member of the Elks in Bath.
He can now rest in peace with our Lord Jesus, his beloved wife and family, where he will remain safe and comforted until the day we can all be together again.
He is survived by a son, Michael (Rachael) Geyer of Corning, a daughter, Stacie Woodruff of Scio, her companion, Brian Gates, three grandsons, Tyler Green, his fiance, Tamara Schweigart, Tristen Woodruff, and Trace Woodruff, as well as several nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased in addition to his parents and wife by a sister, Lois “Betsy” Geyer.
Friends are invited to call on Wednesday, August 1, 2018 from 2:00 to 4:00 and 7:00 to 9:00 pm at the J. W. Embser Sons Funeral Home In Wellsville. The funeral will be on Thursday, August 2, at 11:00 am in the funeral home. Burial with military honors will be in Fairlawn Cemetery in Scio. Please consider memorial donations to the American Heart Association, Home Care & Hospice, or any charity of the donor's choice. To leave online condolences, please visit www.embserfuneralhome.com.
