NORWICH – Thomas P. Lamphere, 71, of Norwich, passed away Sunday evening, April 25, 2010, in the Chenango Memorial Hospital.
Born in May of 1938 to Guy and Florence Thompson Lamphere, Tom grew up in South New Berlin and attended the local schools. He served his country in the U.S. Army during the Viet Nam Era, from 1961 through 1963. Following his honorable discharge, Tom lived in Washington, D.C. for a brief time, working for the U.S. Postal Service, and it was during his time in D.C. that he married Linda Goodwin on March 31, 1964. Tom relocated back to Chenango County, where he took employment with Bennett Ireland and decided to finish his education, earning his GED in 1982. When Bennett Ireland closed its doors, Tom went to work for Unison, remaining there until his retirement in the mid-1990s. An easy-going man, a bit of a comedian who loved to tell stories, and a man who enjoyed a good game of pitch, Tom also enjoyed fishing, especially for bullheads. He excelled at horseshoe pitching, having more “six packs” – a ringer in one throw followed by a second ringer in one throw – to his credit than almost anyone.
Tom is survived by his children: Loretta “Lorry” Lamphere of North Norwich, and Thomas Lamphere Jr. and wife Sue of Oxford; and his brother, Aubrey Lamphere of New Berlin. Also surviving are his grandchildren, Eric and Chris Bishop and Jacob Lamphere; his great grandchildren, Eric Bishop Jr. and Dallas Bishop; nieces, nephews, and cousins. Tom was predeceased by his wife Linda on Nov. 10, 2008; by his sisters, Augusta “Gussie” Sliter and Nettie Kuhn; and his brothers, James and Henry Lamphere.
A memorial service for Tom will be held at 6 p.m. Friday from the R.J. Fahy Funeral Home. The Rev. Romeyn Kipp, pastor of the Holmesville Baptist Church, will officiate. Friends are invited to call at the R.J. Fahy Funeral Home on Friday from 5 p.m. until the service at 6.