Obituary of Thomas Nerf

Thomas G. Nerf, 58 of Poughkeepsie, passed away at Vassar Brothers Medical Center on Dec. 2, 2009. He was born in Albany on Jan. 30,1951 to Joan Bombard Nerf and the late George Nerf. His mother survives in Glens Falls, NY. He attended St. Mary's Academy in Glens Falls and graduated with a B.S. in Political Science from SUNY Plattsburgh in 1973. There, he met his loving wife of 36 years, Kathleen Whalen Nerf. He began his long career in the moving and relocation industry that same year, eventually becoming a respected leader in international sales. He was a parishioner of The Church of the Holy Trinity since he moved to Poughkeepsie in 1975. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus. Tom leaves behind his wife and best friend, Kathleen, and their five daughters. They include: Maryellen Link and her husband, Mitchell of Kingston; Kara Steffensen and her husband, Erich of Millbrook; Kristine Jackson and her husband, Aaron of Pleasant Valley; Susan Nerf and her husband, Frank Musante of Poughkeepsie; and Katherine Doyle and her husband, David of Kingston. His three grandchildren, Trent and Abigail Jackson and Liam Doyle were the light of his life. Family also includes four sisters and their husbands, Kathleen Budd and her husband, Joseph of Spring, TX; Ann Bartlett and her husband, Michael of Saranac Lake; Theresa Spiak and her husband, Paul of Ft. Edward and Rosemary Ferguson and her husband, George of Whitehall. He also leaves behind sisters in law and brothers in law, William and Linda Whalen of Newburgh; Maureen and Sal Rosati of South Salem, Peggy Swingle of Poughkeepsie and Michael and Margaret Whalen of Pound Ridge as well as 15 nieces and nephews whom he adored. In his spare time, Tom loved playing board games with his family, working on crossword puzzles and enjoyed Sunday dinner with his children and grandchildren. He was a running enthusiast completing both the NYC and Chicago Marathons in under five hours. In addition, Tom was an avid Yankees and Jets fan and especially enjoyed attending games in person. He loved traveling and going on adventures with his family. Tom exemplified what a father and husband should be, and he will be deeply missed by all who knew him. Calling hours will be Sunday, December 6, 2009 from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the Timothy P. Doyle Funeral Home, Inc., 371 Hooker Ave., Poughkeepsie. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, Dec. 7, at 9:45 a.m. at the Church of the Holy Trinity, 775 Main St., Poughkeepsie. Burial will follow in St. Peter's Cemetery, Poughkeepsie. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the LaGrange Fire District, Red Oaks Mill Rd., Poughkeepsie, NY 12603 or The Food Bank of the Hudson Valley, 195 Hudson St., Cornwalló on-Hudson, NY 12520. For directions or to send an online condolence, please visit our website at www.doylefuneralhome.com