One full year without this amazing human. 

Hi Tom  How’s heaven? We all miss you! 

Tom, its been a year since you have passed ,  you are still missed

7. September 2022

Dear Family Waitkins
my heart felt condolensces to the loss of Tom. 

Tom and I were highschool sweethearts in the seventies, in his first years at Plattsburgh. He was a kind and loving person. 

In June 2022 I had been looking for Tom online, looking to get in touch with him, when a dear friend told me of his passing just last night. 

Wishing all of you strength and the cherishment of love in times of mourning.
kindly
Gabrielle von Bernstorff
(Gabrielle Baumeler back then)
Switzerland


Tom was the brightest, kindest, most awesome guy, and great friend to my brother. He was so proud of, and genuinely loved his daughters, a true Renaissance man. We love you, Tom.  Rest In Peace. Aloha O’e! 

Tom was a good man and a good friend. I will miss his laugh. I am sorry I found out about his passing too late.

August 6, 2022

By: Rene de la Varre
Email: fitteryou@gmail.com
Cell: 919 215 6168


A Parting Message from a brother for life.

I knew Tom as an outspoken, intelligent person who never held back.
And so, I write this spontaneously, off the top of my head, as he would have
liked it.

We grew up together in Croton and, in later years, used to cycle around the area
With an eight-pack of those old Miller High Life 8 oz. bottles. Drinking and cycling
Together, having a blast. After all, no cop could stop us from “Cycling while Intoxicated.”

His spirit was kept alive by his two daughters, Teresa and Nadine, who grew up with my daughters Zoe and Natalie. Tom and Adrianna raised two incredible kids who deserved
to have more time with their dad. 

Those of you who went to school with Tom will relate to this question: “But why did he go to the hacienda?” Think hard. Come on… 

In the later years, I would tell Natalie to call Tom and ask him. He got such a kick out of the question, yet we had no answer for those who remember. Tom was stuck for an answer. Unreal.

Last year I spent a few days with him at a summer abode in Watkins Glen, NY. A brilliant colonial home right in town. We talked nonstop about the “good old days,” current events, politics, space travel of interplanetary dust……anything. Occasionally a difference of opinion led to heated discussions, but we always ended the night with a hug and a “love ya like a brother.”

I never realized that would be the last time I saw my bro and best friend.
I often wonder if there is a heaven where I’ll be able to reunite with my fallen loved ones. I hope so because I guarantee you a party with Tom, Bob Moore, and my father. I’ll join you when my time is up. Rest in peace. 











To Adrianna, Nadine and Theresa, 
Tom was loved by many, you have my heartfelt condolences.
Linda

I am sorry for your loss. Tom was a great guy.  I took many 
classes with him at the Appraisal Institute.  He always had
experiences to share about our industry which made the
classes more interesting!  He was always helpful even when we
were locked down during Covid.  He will be missed.
Barbara Beshears

I will never forget going to an Allman Brothers concert with Watty and my Dad. Just us 3 and some good music. It was so random and i forget who even planned it or how I was invited hahah but I am so grateful that I got to share that memory with them and it will forever be in my heart. RIP to an amazing man, one of the best friends my Dad could have asked for, and of course an amazing father to 2 strong, independent women. We will all miss you dearly Watty. Gone too soon, but never forgotten xoxo

My heart is so broken to learn that Tommy is no longer with the ones he loved so much.  We shared only a short time together but he truly was a joy to be with.  I remember many walks with Jack and my dog Bentley…  Sharing  meals together with his daughters, listening to music and going to church together…those moments with him  were very special.  My thoughts and prayers are with Nadine, Terry and his sister and brother…. He loved you all so much.  Rest In Peace, Thomas.  LJ Mariotti

I got to know Tom through the assessor community but apart from that, he and I were kindred spirits. Our relationship took place mostly through emails and by phone. We shared a frustration with the tenor of the times, especially the political landscape of recent years. I cared for him. He was a good soul and I will miss him. 

I met Tom freshman year at Plattsburgh State. We lived on the same floor and immediately made a connection through music and the outdoors. I transferred to Arizona but we always kept in touch. Then in 1998 I took a sales job and part of my route was the Hudson valley. Tom opened his home to me on countless occasions. I watched his girls grow up into beautiful adults I kinda felt part of the extended family. Tom and I took many walks with Jack his dog but our favorite thing was sitting on his porch and talking about our families and the changing world around us. Tom I’ll miss you my friend Love ❤️ Damian Griffis 

My heartfelt condolences to the entire Waitkins family. Tommy was a unique person. He always brought laughter and insight to any conversation. Our prayers are with you.
Matt, Kim, Clara, Amelia Henry

Such a good guy.  The best assessor the town of Cortlandt ever saw.  A terrible loss for all that knew him. 

Thank You Tom for always being who you were.  One of the most down to earth, genuine and honest people I’ll ever know growing up in such a wonderful town like Croton.
Rest peacefully in Heaven with your Parents who we all truly loved.  We’re all eternally grateful for your friendship and God Bless You buddy❤️🙏🙏❤️

Tom...you were taken long before your time.  I hope you are pain free and enjoying the afterlife.  You will be sorely missed.

The Cully's formerly  of Truesdale Drive extending our sincere condolences to Tom's family, Nadine, Theresa, Melanie and Matt and all with their loss of their Dad, Brother and Best Friend.  We will all miss Tom dearly. So many fantastic,  fond and funny memories of knowing and growing up with  Tom and his family from the mid sixties up to today. So fortunate us Cully's are to have him as a true and eternal friend!!
RIP TOM! 
The Cully's
Bill, John, Bob, MaryAnn and Peter and Family

Waitkins had an ability to capture an audience, with his brilliant ideas and quick humor. 

We only knew Tom for a weekend  during a Farm to Fork bike event . We stayed at his home in Watkins Glen and shared a lot of laughs .Denise and I are the people referenced as  "camping" in his dining room as it was pouring rain outside. Tom was truly a warm and hospitable person and we will miss him at future events.  Dave Paddock

Tom was our  neighbor and friend on Depew St. for many years. He gave us a Spruce tree from his yard, and helped my husband Bill plant it in our yard.   (Jack was right there helping).  My condolences to his family.  He was truly a good guy.  Joyce Stillman

I’m devastated Tommy is no longer with usI’ll miss you calling me “Patsy” and “Hey Blondie” .  I’ll miss our walks with Jack . Miss your booming voice and laugh!  I”ll miss our yearly Finger Lakes adventure and the Cabin. Miss the swim and the  biking “only “ in Harriman.  I’ll miss you always being “swamped” and in the “busy “ season. Miss your clever witticism  and expletives. I am so sad and sorry Nadine and Theresa that you have lost your Dad.  Thomas Waitkins certainly made his mark!  Love you..

I met Tom a number of years ago through his brother Mark. We all spent a lot of time together on race weekends at Tom's house in Watkins Glen.  Tom was my navigator for a number of sports car rallys where his knowledge of the roads around The Glen helped immensely.  He graciously opened his home to me and I got to know him quite well, sitting on his porch with his dog, Jack,  watching the cars and having a beer.  He will be greatly missed as he was well-liked by everybody who met him.  My sincerest condolences to his daughters and family.  May he rest in peace.     

Tommy was smart and witty. He didn’t miss a beat. Tommy always seemed to have energy 

Tom was a great friend who wore his emotions on his sleeve. He traveled to Montana to visit after our high school years and loved getting out to explore and enjoy nature. We stayed in touch through the decades and he was the type of guy with home you always immediately felt at home with in conversation even if you hadn’t spoken in years. Watty all of your high school friends and lacrosse teammates loved you and will never forget you as a big part of our lives. Thinking of your family and their huge loss. Love to all…

I had the pleasure of knowing Tom since his freshman year in high school . We spent his first two years of high school together on the lacrosse team.  He was unselfish, a true sportsman, fantastic teammate, just a great, wonderful guy to be around. Of course , playing sports in Croton, we all got to know each other very well. My heartfelt condolences to his whole family. He will truly be missed. 
Rolf and Veronica Hildinger 

I have been existing in a bit of a fog for the past day or two after hearing this news.  I have been crushed by sadness.  Tom and I shared a lot of common ground over the past 2+ decades…family/kids, personal setbacks, swimming, biking, running, triathlons, the joy of being a Clydesdale, plus much more.  There are so many fun times we shared like Around the Sound 10k Swim in Bermuda, Walt Disney World 1/2 Ironman, cycling miles upon miles over and around Bear Mountain.  Somehow we instantly connected in masters swimming at Premiere Athletics Club which probably was due to our shared common experiences as SUNY Plattsburgh alum.  I am just totally shocked and saddened from this news.  My ticket is booked, and I will be back in Peekskill this weekend to help celebrate your life.  So sorry that there wasn’t one last massive bear hug between the Lithuanian Locomotive and Polish Thunder.

It is so sad to hear you won't be around to talk to Tom.  I'm shocked and saddened.  We spoke over the years, as colleagues, friends and men in the world.  As I think back the words "larger than life" come to mind, and this describes you.  I will miss our times together and I know your daughters, who were always first in your heart and in your head, will miss you too.   You were a good friend and you were a great dad.  Rest in peace Tom.  Greg Faughnan.  

Tom was one of my favorite Lacrosse players. I was given the varsity Lacrosse head coaches job at Croton in 1977. It was a great team with many talented players. Tom was an excellent defenseman. 

That team not only won its division but was the first to win new Russ Simon award for sportsmanship. Tom was a big part of that. For example, a ball went out of bounds and was awarded to us by the referee. Tom spoke up and said sir, it should be given to the other team.  I am sure that this not only contributed to our team receiving the award but more importantly showed his sense of honesty and fairness that would be a characteristic of his entire life. 

We have lost so many from that team too soon. I am thankful to have known all of them.
Nick Padula

Ryk and I have been privileged to count Tom as a friend and neighbor.  We will mourn his absence for a good long time--his passing leaves a huge void in our lives. At the same time, we will cherish the boisterous meals together and the hundreds of long and short, chatty and serious conversations we've had over the years, 
Our love to his family.
Rest in peace, dear Tom.  


Tom was a great colleague and friend. I learned a lot working with him. I will ver much miss talking to him. When I worked at the Town, whenever I had a question, we would start on topic but the conversation would naturally flow back and forth from current events, to health exercise and to his daughters (whom he clearly adored). Tom was a great man. My heartfelt condolences to his family. 

Roger and I just finished the dinner I made that I was going to invite you to this evening.  I texted you this morning  checking in on your surgery and if you were feeling up to it,  was going to ask to to come over for dinner before we move.
Your lovely daughter Teresa got back to me with the unbelievable news.
We only just texted weeks ago and told me about your upcoming surgery and  that you had apprehensions but wanted to be pain free and get back to swimming.  
That was where we met in the pool and our friendship  has sustained for the the  last 25 years.
I am devasted that we will never see each other again.  I expected
you to visit us in Colorado.  
Our condolences to Teresa, Nadine and you family.
Love, Cathy

I always loved seeing his smile in the 5:45 am spin classes at Premier Athletic Club.  He loved his swimming and biking, it brought him so much happiness  

I have known Tom for many years as a member of the Mid-Hudson Chapter of the Appraisal Institute. It was always a good time and fun conversation when we had the chance to connect and of course as appraisers, to talk all about real estate. Our most sincere sympathies to the family. You will be missed Tom.

Had the honor of knowing Tom and his family way back at Assumption Peekskill.   Tom had a  nice way of making people feel comfortable around him.  He loved to brag about his daughters Nadine and Teresa and was so proud of them.  Tom you will be missed.  May your Soul Rest In Peace.  Amen!

The first time I met Tom was when I walked into a spinning class at the Premier Athletic Club and Tom was the instructor. He was always supportive and challenged you to do the best you could. He didn’t talk to much, which was a welcomed change.  Many years later I came to know him as our esteemed Assessor. Tom was always honest, and took his job as well as the profession very seriously. He was a great guy to work with and will be missed by so many. He definitely made his mark in the Town of Cortlandt. Our hearts and prayers go out to his family. RIP Tom

It is with great sadness that I say goodbye to my friend and work colleague Tom, one of life’s “really good blokes” even after I left the assessor office where we worked I continued to stay in touch especially on December 7 to wish him happy Pearl Harbor day as his father was stationed there at the time and was greatly upset that the Japanese bombed his new car .. the world will be less without you brother 

Tom was a dedicated employee - serving as Village Assessor for the past two years - as well as a friend to many in Croton. His knowledge and expertise will be greatly missed.

I remember when Tom first moved to Croton, we were neighbors 
On Maple street, what a wonderful family. It was very exciting 
for me and my brother and sister to have new friends on the street.
Many years later, not knowing Tom was the tax accessor, I left a 
message with that department, Tom called back asking me if I was
the same Joe Picciano that grew up on Maple street in Croton, and 
Our friendship was rekindled, we were planning on meeting at the 
Croton diner for breakfast. Tom was a wonderful man of Faith, he 
was a lecture at our church where he did an outstanding job.-
John 3:16 says “God loved the world so much that He sent his only 
son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life “.  You will be greatly missed Tom but our loss is heaven’s gain, may God Bless you as you enter paradise.




Melanie,
I am so very sorry about Tommy.  My deepest sympathy goes out to you and your family.  I am here if you need anything at all.  
Love Ya
Peg



OBITUARY

Thomas J. Waitkins

28 October, 1959 – 31 July, 2022

Edward F. Carter Funeral Home

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