Thomas M. Raish

THOMAS M. RAISH

HORNELL-Thomas M. Raish, 72, passed away early Wednesday afternoon (Feb. 24, 2010) at his home at 40 Glen Ave., after a short illness.
Born in Hornell on March 29, 1937, he was a son of the late Jesse and Mary Helen Clancy Raish. On May 8, 1965, he was married at St. Ignatius Loyola Church in Hornell to the former Mary Coleman, who survives.
A resident of Hornell for most of his life, Tom was a graduate of Hornell High School, class of 1955 and received his associate’s degree in air conditioning and refrigeration from Alfred State College. He served with the U. S. Navy from 1955 until his honorable discharge in 1957.
Tom was employed by Local Union No. 13 in Rochester as a plumber and steamfitter in construction before his retirement.
He was a member of Our Lady of the Valley Parish and was a communicant of St. Ignatius Loyola Church in Hornell. His other memberships include the Arthur H. Cunningham American Legion Post No. 440 in Hornell, a member of the Hornell AmVets Post, where he served on the Board of Directors and a member of the Hornell Elks Lodge No. 364, where he served as chairman of the House Committee. Some of his favorite pastimes were hunting, golfing and model trains.
A loving husband, father, grandfather and brother, Tom will be remembered for being a very proud Grandpa and for being very dedicated to his many friends who were dedicated to him in return.
His family includes his wife of 44 years, Mary; his two daughters, Michele (Michael) Curtis of Hornell and Patti (Jay) Schwerthoffer of Batavia; his four grandchildren, Erika and Carlie Curtis and Allie and Evan Thomas Schwerthoffer; his two brothers, William (Lois) Raish of Canisteo and Robert Raish of Hornell; his sister-in-law, Joan Coleman of Hornell; his brother-in-law, Doc (Wilda) Coleman of Florida; also his many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Besides his parents he was also predeceased by his brother-in-law, Robert Coleman; his two sisters-in-law, Shirley Raish and Shirley Coleman and his two nephews, Andy Raish and Larry Raish.
Calling hours are from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Sunday at the Bishop & Johnson Funeral Home, Inc., 285 Main St., Hornell, where the Hornell Elks Lodge will conduct a memorial service at 3:30 p.m. and the Hornell American Legion Post will conduct a memorial service at 8:30 p.m.
Friends are invited to meet his family at St. Ann’s Church where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Monday. Committal prayers and interment, with military honors, will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Town of Fremont.
In lieu of flowers, those wishing may contribute in his memory to the Hornell YMCA Building Fund, 12 Center St., Hornell, NY 14843. Envelopes for memorial contributions will be available at the funeral home.

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