Submitted by: Mary Jo Koran

Article published Aug 16, 2006

Thomas A. Gerencher
March 1, 1946 - Aug. 14, 2006

Thomas Anthony Gerencher died on August 14th, 2006.

Tom taught English Literature Honors and Media for 34 years at Saint Joseph's High School. Tom was an amazing teacher that students [parents] will never forget. He not only taught his students how to write, he taught them how to learn. He encouraged them to be inspired, motivated, enthusiastic, persuaded, realistic, and most importantly to embrace life - “live to learn and learn to live.” He demanded excellence from his students and rejoiced in the number of them who achieved his/her dreams because he/she rose to that challenge. Tom's passions were teaching, reading and collecting great literature.

Tom was not only a friend to all who knew him, but also a caring mentor to many.

Tom proudly served in the Army in Landstuhl, Germany, from 1966 to 1969.

Tom was preceded in death by his parents, Alex and Margaret.

He is survived by his wife of thirty years, Rita (Miller); his brother, Ronald (Marie); his nephews, Kevin (Jill), Jeremy Adams; great-nephew, Austin; and nieces, Amy (Doug) Martin, Marie (William) Kelley, Mallory Miller, Megan Miller and Kasie Miller. Also, cherishing his memory are his sister-in-law, Leona (Robert) Adams, brothers-in-law, Michael (Kristy) Miller and Anthony (Anne) Miller.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Saint Joseph High School on Thursday, August 17, 2006, at 10:00 a.m., where visitation will be held one hour prior to the service. Interment will follow at Highland Cemetery. Friends may also call from 2:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. today at Kaniewski Funeral Home, where a Rosary will be said at 4:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, Rita and Ron request that memorial contributions be made to Saint Joseph High School.

To send online condolences, please visit Kaniewski.com.