Thomas J. Short

AUBURN | Thomas J. Short, of Auburn, fell asleep peacefully with his family at his side on Wednesday, July 24, 2019.

Thomas was born in Sennett, N.Y. to Gilbert and Lillian (Beach) Short. Thomas attended the one room school house in Skaneateles and later went on to graduate from Cayuga Community College. In Tom’s early years he worked hard on the “Short“ family farm and that hard work led him into enlisting in the United States Marines from 1953-56. After an honorable discharge he returned to his hometown of Skaneateles and went to work as a night patrolman with the Skaneateles Police Department. It was during this time at the end of his shift one morning that he stopped a pedestrian while on her way to work and that stop led him to the altar in 1960 marrying Joan Herbert, of Auburn. After getting married Tom changed careers and went to work for the New York State Electric and Gas earning the nickname of “Gronk.”

Tom was a member of I.B.E.W. and The Utopia Club of Auburn. In October Tom and Joan would have celebrated 59 years of marriage.

He is survived by his loving and devoted wife, Joan; their four children, Sharon Marie, Thomas James, Stephen Herbert, and Joanne Denise; two daughters-in-law, Cristina with Tom, and Janice with Stephen; two granddaughters, Valeria and Camila; as well as several nieces and nephews.

Thomas was predeceased by his parents; his brothers, Roland, Jack, and Charles; sister, Doris. He was also predeceased by a granddaughter, Karla Krystyna.

Calling hours are from 2 to 4 p.m. (today) Sunday at Pettigrass Funeral Home, 196 Genesee St., Auburn. Family and friends are invited to join the family at 10:30 a.m. Monday for Tom’s Mass of Christian burial in St. Peter and Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church, Washington Street, Auburn. Burial will be in St. Joseph’s Cemetery, where military honors will be accorded.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Saint Peter and Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church, 135 Washington St., Auburn, NY 13021 or a charity of one’s choice.

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