Age 77 of Horseheads, NY peacefully joined his beloved wife, Gail, in their Heavenly Home on Saturday, May 26. 2018 surrounded by his loving family. Tom was born July 27, 1940 in Elmira, NY to the late Thomas and Francis (Deats) Wolf. He married his lifelong sweetheart, Gail M. Kakretz, on July 18, 1959. He was pre-deceased by his loving wife of 55 years, his brother Gerald “Gerry” Wolf, and his sister Anna Jo Mahoney. Tom is survived by his sister Jeanette; sister-in-law Mary Lynn; children Thomas M. Wolf (wife Julie), Michael T. Wolf (wife Deb), Scott T. Wolf (wife Juliana), Lynn M. Andryshak (husband Keith), and Edward T. Wolf (wife Lisa); and grandchildren Aaron, Ryan (wife Jolie; children Cadence, Jack, & Linik), T.J. (wife Kim), Joshua, Kristen (husband Mathew), Cassie (husband Troy; children Lydia & Felicity), Lauren, Keli, Austin, Sami, Nate, Stephen, and Jared. Tom served his country as a Navy Signalman from 1958 until 1961 (honorable discharge) and as a New York State Trooper from 1962 until 1972 (disability retirement). He served the many communities in which he lived through youth sports from 1961 until 2018 (57 years). He began coaching youth sports with his uncle in 1961 after leaving the military; from there, he served as a coach, league commissioner, and league director of countless youth sports programs. Through these efforts, Tom leaves a sprawling legacy of impact through generations of young athletes, parents, and fans. Families and children that didn’t know Tom through sports knew him as the candy man. He was a longstanding, active member of Maranatha Bible Chapel. Tom will be greatly missed by his family, friends, church family, community, and dozens of children looking for lollipops after Sunday morning services. Relatives and friends are invited to attend a celebration of Tom’s life on Wednesday, May 30, 2018 at 5:30 PM at Maranatha Bible Chapel, 774 Sing Sing Road, Horseheads, NY. In lieu of flowers, Tom asked that memorial donations be sent to Maranatha Bible Chapel in honor of the Tom Sawyer Youth Basketball League that currently plays in their gym.
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