Thomas G. Hafele

Thomas G. Hafele, known affectionately as Tom, passed away suddenly on October 16, 2023 at his residence. Born on January 3, 1952, in Oneonta, NY, Tom lived a life full of love, passion, and kindness. He grew up in Lake Hill, NY and graduated from Onteora HS in 1970.

Tom was a devoted family man, deeply loved by his wife of 46 years, Jennifer, and cherished by his daughters, Amanda (Jeremy) Rushkoski and Rebecca (Dan) Fricke. He was an adoring grandfather to Charlie, Tommy, Danny, Jake and Joey.  Tom was also a beloved brother to Gail (Joe) Galioto and Elaine (John) McCloskey. His family was his world, and he was their number one fan, always present at his daughters and grandchildren's sports games, cheering them on with unwavering enthusiasm.

Educated with an Associate Degree from Ulster County Community College, Tom was a dedicated professional, serving as a Manufacturing Manager at Ametek Rotron in Woodstock, NY for 45 years. His commitment to his work was evident in his diligence and the respect he earned from his colleagues.

Tom's love for the outdoors was a defining aspect of his life and led to strong friendships along the way, especially his best friend, Brad Leonard. Tom was an avid hunter and fisherman, he was a member of the Wittenberg Sportsmen's Club and Saugerties Fish and Game Club. His passion for nature was not just confined to his hobbies; he was a life member of the Rocky Mt. Elk Foundation, contributing to the preservation of wildlife and their habitats. In addition to his love for the outdoors, Tom was deeply involved with his community, he had a big part in developing the Mt. Marion Community Association that started the baseball/softball leagues. 

Tom was a man of many admirable qualities, but it was his kindness, passion, and love that stood out the most. He had a heart full of love for his family, a passion for the outdoors, and a kindness that touched everyone he met. As Maya Angelou once said, "People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." Tom made people feel loved, valued, and special.

His legacy will live on in the hearts of his family, friends, and all those who had the privilege of knowing him. His memory will forever be a beacon of love and kindness in the hearts of all who knew him.

His Funeral Service will be held 11 am Sunday at the Seamon-Wilsey Funeral Home Inc. corner of John and Lafayette Sts. Visitation will be held Saturday from 2-4 and 7-9 pm. Inurnment will be at a later date in the Bovina Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Saugerties Little League PO Box 382 and Wittenberg Sportsmen's Club, PO Box 930 Woodstock, NY 12498. A Memorial Tribute Book will be organized using photos and condolences shared with the family at SeamonWilseyFuneralHome.com

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