OXFORD – Thomas B. Rice, 88, of Oxford passed away on May 23, 2011 at the New York State Veterans’ Home, Oxford.
He was born on July 7, 1922 in Norwich the son of Thomas J. and Ellen (Berdanier) Rice. On Oct. 7, 1945 he married Ruth N. Smith, who died Feb. 13, 2003.
He is survived by his children, Susan and Lee Garcia of Scottsdale, AZ, Mary Lynne and Gregg Bailey of Bloomington, MN, Thomas A. and Elyse Rice of Oxford, and Richard and Natalie Rice of Sahuarita, AZ; his grandchildren, Kristin and Andrew Huber of anthem, Ac, Jon and Lena Garcia of Pasadena, CA, Emma Bailey of Chapel Hill, NC, Rachel Bailey of Bloomington, MN, Clara and David Rice of Sahuarita, AZ, and Molly and Bridget Rice of Oxford; his great grandson, Jackson Thomas Garcia of Pasadena, CA and several nieces and nephews.
Thomas served in the United States Marine Corp from 1942-1946, serving in Trinidad and North Africa. He was on the Board of Directors of the Lake Ludlow Club for 18 years and served as President for one year. He served Habitat for Humanity as Treasurer from 1997-2000. He had worked at Oxford Motors, Norwich Mills and retired from VanBuiten House Movers. He had a life-long love of the outdoors, cryptoquotes, and crossword puzzles. He loved deer hunting, Lake Ludlow and afternoon drives in his car. He loved his family and was beloved.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, May 27 at 2 p.m. at the Oxford United Methodist Church with the Rev. John Martin officiating. Burial will follow in Riverview Cemetery, Oxford.
At his request there will be no calling hours. Memorial contributions may be made to the Memorial Fund at the NYS Veterans’ Home, 4207 State Highway 220, Oxford, NY 13830.
Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting the Behe Funeral Home website at www.behefuneralhome.com.