Thomas Wilson Dies At 83 - 27 East
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Thomas Wilson Dies At 83

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author on Apr 13, 2011

Thomas E. Wilson

Thomas E. Wilson of Hampton Bays died in his sleep at Peconic Bay Medical Center Monday, April 4. He was 83.

Mr. Wilson was a member of the Hampton Bays Fire Department for 65 years. He rose to the rank of captain and for several terms served on the Board of Fire Commissioners for the department as well as a member of its Benevolent Association. He will long be remembered and admired for the wonderful job he did as the historian for the department. For more than 20 years he was employed by Suffolk County as a lock tender at the Shinnecock locks in Hampton Bays.

Mr. Wilson is survived by his children, Thomas E. Wilson Jr., Ellen Reilley, William Wilson, Edward Wilson and his wife Geraldine Wilson and Sharon Hand, all of Hampton Bays; sister, Ellen Overton of North Carolina; grandchildren, Dawn Kurtz, James Reilley, Mark and Megan Wilson, Timothy and Patrick Wilson, George, Amber, Crystal and Carrie Hand; and nine great-grandchildren, Alicia, Brent and Courtney Kurtz, Hailey, James and Rebecca Reilley, and Cole, McKenzie and Abigal Wilson. He was predeceased by his wife of 61 years, Althea (Chickie) Downs; his grandchildren Tracey (Wilson) Allen and Matthew Wilson; brother, Walter Wewer; and sister, Gladys Wewer.

The Hampton Bays Fire Department, surrounding departments and the Hampton Bays Volunteer Ambulance met at the J. Ronald Scott Funeral Home on Sunday, April 10, for firematic services led by Chaplain Rev. Daniel Harris. A memorial service led by Rev. Harris took place Monday, April 11 at the funeral home. A full firematic procession led the funeral past the fire House and beneath the flag arches to Good Ground Cemetery where he was buried next to (his beloved “bride” as he always called her) Chickie.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations made to the American Cancer Society, cancer.org, and the Diabetes Foundation, diabetesfoundationinc.org, would be appreciated by the family.

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