Obituary for Thomas M. Bucklin
GENEVA-Thomas M. Bucklin, age 62, of Geneva, passed away peacefully on Sunday, January 23, 2022 surrounded by his loving family after a courageous battle with cancer.
In accordance with Tom’s wishes, there will be no calling hours. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, January 29, 2022 at 10 am at St. Stephen’s Roman Catholic Church. A private burial will take place at Glenwood Cemetery in Geneva. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Thrive to Survive Organization, Inc., P. O. Box 1146, Geneva, NY 14456.
Tom is survived by his beloved wife, Jeanne, his daughter Kristie (Eric) Milsap and grandchildren Jack, Joseph and Tate Milsap, of Maryville, TN, his son Thomas of Geneva, his mother Patricia Bucklin, his two sisters, Patricia Bucklin of Slingerlands, NY and Susan Bucklin Young of Voorheesville, NY, and six brothers, Gary (Paula), John (Jacqueline), Robert (Maureen), James (Kathy), Stephen (Sherri) of Portsmouth, NH and Michael (Karla), all of Geneva except as noted. Tom also is survived by his mother-in-law Phyllis Anastasi, brother-in-law Joseph Anastasi and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his father George Bucklin, infant twin sisters Julie and Joan Bucklin, niece Kennedy Ann Bucklin, and father-in-law Joseph Anastasi.
A lifelong resident of Geneva, Tom was born in 1959, the seventh of 11 children born to Patricia and the late George Bucklin. He graduated from DeSales High School in 1977, where he was a three sport athlete, excelling in football, basketball and baseball. He was named All Conference in Football as a kicker, defensive back and running back, and was named All Conference in Baseball as a pitcher. He attended Delhi College, where he majored in Hotel and Restaurant Management. After college, he worked at Emile’s Restaurant and the International Lounge in Geneva, and at restaurants in Captiva Island, FL and Anaheim, CA, where he lived for four years.
Tom returned to Geneva in 1986 and married his high school sweetheart and the love of his life, Jeanne Anastasi. They recently celebrated their 35th wedding anniversary together. In 1988, Tom also began a 26-year career with Verizon as a Specials Technician, retiring in 2014. He was an amazing worker and respected by all his colleagues.
Tom and Jeanne were blessed with two beautiful children, Kristie and Tommy. They were devoted parents who loved their children deeply and had a rich life filled with many memorable times with family and friends. Tom cherished his grandsons, Jack, Joey and Tate and they cherished their Grandpa. Their visits were always eagerly awaited and thoroughly enjoyed. Nothing was more important to Tom than his family and he loved spending time with his children and grandchildren and helping his parents.
Tom was a great friend to many. Once he met you, you were a friend forever. He had an amazing group of 18 lifelong friends (the “Wharf Rats”), who had many special times together and always looked forward to their annual Wharfrat March Madness weekend get-away. Tom was incredibly kind and generous, always helping others in his quiet way. He will be long remembered for his kindness to everyone and his great sense of humor which always provided lots of laughs. His strength and positive spirit were evident every day, never wavering even during his difficult illness.
Tom had many talents. He loved woodworking and home projects and could build or fix anything. He had a passion for cooking and loved making gourmet meals. A perfect evening was having a quiet dinner with his beautiful wife. He also enjoyed gardening, fishing and watching sports.
Tom was a Fourth Degree Member of the Knights of Columbus and a member of the Nester Hose Company of Geneva, the Sons of the American Legion and the Ancient Order of Hibernians. He generously did volunteer work for these organizations and many others.
The family would like to express their deep gratitude to Dr. Jessica Kleiner and the nursing staff at the Wilmot Cancer Center of Geneva for their excellent care and wonderful support of Tom during the last two and one-half years, and to the staff at Geneva General Hospital for their care and kindness during his recent stay.
In accordance with Tom’s wishes, there will be no calling hours. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, January 29, 2022 at 10 am at St. Stephen’s Roman Catholic Church. A private burial will take place at Glenwood Cemetery in Geneva. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Thrive to Survive Organization, Inc., P. O. Box 1146, Geneva, NY 14456.
Tom is survived by his beloved wife, Jeanne, his daughter Kristie (Eric) Milsap and grandchildren Jack, Joseph and Tate Milsap, of Maryville, TN, his son Thomas of Geneva, his mother Patricia Bucklin, his two sisters, Patricia Bucklin of Slingerlands, NY and Susan Bucklin Young of Voorheesville, NY, and six brothers, Gary (Paula), John (Jacqueline), Robert (Maureen), James (Kathy), Stephen (Sherri) of Portsmouth, NH and Michael (Karla), all of Geneva except as noted. Tom also is survived by his mother-in-law Phyllis Anastasi, brother-in-law Joseph Anastasi and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his father George Bucklin, infant twin sisters Julie and Joan Bucklin, niece Kennedy Ann Bucklin, and father-in-law Joseph Anastasi.
A lifelong resident of Geneva, Tom was born in 1959, the seventh of 11 children born to Patricia and the late George Bucklin. He graduated from DeSales High School in 1977, where he was a three sport athlete, excelling in football, basketball and baseball. He was named All Conference in Football as a kicker, defensive back and running back, and was named All Conference in Baseball as a pitcher. He attended Delhi College, where he majored in Hotel and Restaurant Management. After college, he worked at Emile’s Restaurant and the International Lounge in Geneva, and at restaurants in Captiva Island, FL and Anaheim, CA, where he lived for four years.
Tom returned to Geneva in 1986 and married his high school sweetheart and the love of his life, Jeanne Anastasi. They recently celebrated their 35th wedding anniversary together. In 1988, Tom also began a 26-year career with Verizon as a Specials Technician, retiring in 2014. He was an amazing worker and respected by all his colleagues.
Tom and Jeanne were blessed with two beautiful children, Kristie and Tommy. They were devoted parents who loved their children deeply and had a rich life filled with many memorable times with family and friends. Tom cherished his grandsons, Jack, Joey and Tate and they cherished their Grandpa. Their visits were always eagerly awaited and thoroughly enjoyed. Nothing was more important to Tom than his family and he loved spending time with his children and grandchildren and helping his parents.
Tom was a great friend to many. Once he met you, you were a friend forever. He had an amazing group of 18 lifelong friends (the “Wharf Rats”), who had many special times together and always looked forward to their annual Wharfrat March Madness weekend get-away. Tom was incredibly kind and generous, always helping others in his quiet way. He will be long remembered for his kindness to everyone and his great sense of humor which always provided lots of laughs. His strength and positive spirit were evident every day, never wavering even during his difficult illness.
Tom had many talents. He loved woodworking and home projects and could build or fix anything. He had a passion for cooking and loved making gourmet meals. A perfect evening was having a quiet dinner with his beautiful wife. He also enjoyed gardening, fishing and watching sports.
Tom was a Fourth Degree Member of the Knights of Columbus and a member of the Nester Hose Company of Geneva, the Sons of the American Legion and the Ancient Order of Hibernians. He generously did volunteer work for these organizations and many others.
The family would like to express their deep gratitude to Dr. Jessica Kleiner and the nursing staff at the Wilmot Cancer Center of Geneva for their excellent care and wonderful support of Tom during the last two and one-half years, and to the staff at Geneva General Hospital for their care and kindness during his recent stay.