Obituary of Thomas Rees SR

Name: Thomas P. Rees, Sr. Date of Death: Thursday, September 20, 2007 Residence: Rome, NY Age: 82 Obituary:Thomas Paul Rees, Sr., 82 years, of Williams Rd., Rome, passed away peacefully on Thursday, September 20, 2007, at the Siegenthaler Center, New Hartford, NY. He was there under the compassionate care of Hospice while his family and friends surrounded him in his final days. He succumbed to lung cancer after a courageous battle. He was born on March 3, 1925, to William J. and Mary Ellen Meehan Rees. When he was 7 days old, his mother died. William later married Cornelia Ellinger, who tenderly loved him and raised him as her own. On July 12, 1947, Tom was united in marriage with Roseann O'Brien of Philadelphia, PA, in Watertown, NY. Tom attended St. Aloysius Academy, Rome Free Academy, and Lakemont Academy in Dundee, NY. During his scholastic career, he excelled in baseball and basketball. He proudly served his country in WWII, enlisting in the Merchant Marines in 1943. Serving was an honor as he followed in his brothers' footsteps. Tom loved his country and held all men and women who served in high esteem. In his early years, he worked at his family store, The Rees Market, at N. James St., Rome. After serving his country, he played professional baseball for Watertown, NY, in the Border League. He was drafted by the Boston Braves when an untimely pitching injury forced him into retirement. In the late 1940's to 1957, he owned and operated Rome Insulation Co. In 1957, Tom began what to be a 50-year career in insurance sales representing State Farm Insurance, Co. He will always be remembered for the care and concern he extended to his policyholders. Tom was a member of the Oneida County Board of Supervisors in 1954 and 1955. Tom served as a Rome City Council member in 1956 and 1957. From 1959 to 1966, Tom was an inspector for the Oneida County Alcoholic Beverage Control Board. In 1966, Tom ran for the New York State Assembly in the 115th district. In the 1970's and 80's, he was New York State Athletic Dept. Deputy Commissioner of Boxing. He traveled often in his duties and made many friends in the boxing field. Tom was enthusiastic about sports and especially golf. His family built the Beaver Brook Golf Course. It is now known as Rome Country Club. In the mid 1960's, he was the golf coach at Rome Catholic High School. He not only taught the mechanics of the game but also the importance of gentlemanly conduct and good sportsmanship. Tom was a member of Teugaga Country Club of Rome and Glades Country Club, Naples, FL. He had many fond memories of playing in the Tavern League and other golf outings. Tom always played in and supported the Rome City Golf Tournament. He holds several championship titles at his clubs and city tournaments. Tom leaves many dear and loyal friends behind here and near his homes in Naples, FL, and Third Lake, NY. Surviving are his loving wife, Roseann; one son and daughter-in-law, Thomas (Tim) and Julie Rees, Rome; three daughters and sons-in-law, Mary Ellen and Nat Filippini, Rome, Kathleen and Robert Piatek, Grand Island, NY, and Cornelia (Dee) Rees, Durham, NC; a brother and sister-in-law, Robert and Eleanor Rees, Loveland, CO; two sisters and a brother-in-law, Joanne Rees, Rome, and Dorothea and Donald (Jim) Currie, E. Orleans, MA; two sisters-in-law, Eleanor Rees, Universal City, TX, and Jean Hurlinger, Manahawkin, NJ; twelve grandchildren, Wendy Meyers, Todd, Marcus, Micah, Kevin, Lisa, and David Filippini, Sarah Gismondi, Rebecca and Luke Piatek, and Will and Jenna Borstalmann; nine great-grandchildren, who called him "Grandpa Bump", Nathan Ciffa, Natalie and Caroline Gismondi, Vincent Salerno, Steven Serfass, Sara Meyers, Gabriel, Benjamin, and Samuel Filippini; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Tom is predeceased by his beloved parents; cherished step-mother; and three brothers, Lt. William G. Rees, Major John Edward (Ned) Rees, and Arthur F. Rees. Funeral services will be held at the Nunn and Harper Funeral Home, Inc., 418 N. George St., Rome, on Monday, September 24, 2007, at 10:15 AM and a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Peter's Rome Catholic Church, N. James St., Rome, at 11:00 AM followed by interment at St. Peter's Cemetery, W. Dominick St., Rome. Relatives and friends may call at the funeral home on Sunday from 4:00 to 7:30 PM. Contributions may be made in Tom's memory to the Siegenthaler Hospice Center, 4277 Middle Settlement Rd., New Hartford, NY, 13413 or Young Life PO Box 2920, Colorado Springs, CO, 80901-2920. Services: Funeral services will be held at the Nunn and Harper Funeral Home, Inc., 418 N. George St., Rome, on Monday, September 24, 2007, at 10:15 AM and a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Peter's Rome Catholic Church, N. James St., Rome, at 11:00 AM followed by interment at St. Peter's Cemetery, W. Dominick St., Rome. Relatives and friends may call at the funeral home on Sunday from 4:00 to 7:30 PM. Contributions may be made in Tom's memory to the Siegenthaler Hospice Center, 4277 Middle Settlement Rd., New Hartford, NY, 13413 or Young Life PO Box 2920, Colorado Springs, CO, 80901-2920.