Thomas J. Hand of Sag Harbor and Gainesville, Florida, Dies June 16 - 27 East
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Thomas J. Hand of Sag Harbor and Gainesville, Florida, Dies June 16

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Thomas J. Hand

Thomas J. Hand

Thomas J. Hand

Thomas J. Hand

authorStaff Writer on Aug 25, 2025

Thomas J. Hand of Sag Harbor and Gainesville, Florida, died peacefully on June 16. He was 56.

He was born in Southampton on July 10, 1968, and raised in Sag Harbor. He was well known in his hometown for his participation in several high school athletics, such as soccer, baseball, and basketball, as well as in post-grad athletics, including rugby and softball.

He ran a successful swimming pool service and repair business on Long Island for over a decade.

His infectious spirit, kindness, and humorous nature made him the life of every gathering, and he never passed up an opportunity to make someone laugh, his family recalled.

In 2000, following the birth of his first daughter, he relocated to Gainesville, Florida, where he pursued his dream of dedicating his life to helping others and saving lives by becoming a firefighter, EMT and hazmat technician.

He excelled in his curriculum at the fire college, earning MVP honors within his graduating class, and soon thereafter joined Gainesville Fire and Rescue. Throughout his career as a first responder, he served his community with passion, dedication, and pride.

He will be remembered for his unwavering devotion to his family, his love for his friends, his passion for sports, and his ability to bring light and laughter to those around him.

He is survived by his daughters, Samantha and Jordan Hand; his mother Jo Anne Arnick; his brother Bob Hand, Jr.; his uncle Michael Joseph; and his step-siblings Rhonda Cunha, Cherryl Cunha, Sharon Adam, Lauren Schellinger, and Anthony Cunha.

In a hand-written document outlining his final wishes, he expressed a desire to sponsor “as many kids as possible” for FSU’s chapter of Camp Kesem, a national nonprofit that provides a free week of summer camp and year-long support to children impacted by a parent’s cancer. In lieu of sending flowers, donation in his memory may be made at donate.kesem.org/mako2025.

A celebration of life will be held at North Haven Village Hall on Saturday, September 20, from 2-6 p.m.

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