Thomas Koch, 86, formerly of Hornell
December 18, 2013
ROCHESTER/HORNELL-Thomas P. Koch, 86, of Rochester, formerly of Adsit St., Hornell, passed away Monday evening (Dec. 16, 2013) at Highland Hospital in Rochester.
Born in Hornell on March 24, 1927, he was a son of the late Paul and Irene Fox Koch. On Aug. 28, 1950 he was married at St. Mary’s Church in Bath to the former Joann McDonnell, who survives.
A resident of Hornell for most of his life, Tom and Joanne have resided in Rochester for the past two and a half years.
He was a graduate of Hornell High School and proudly served his country in the U.S. Navy during World War II and was a recipient of the American Theatre Medal and the Victory Medal.
Tom was employed for 20 years as an instructor at the Steuben-Allegany BOCES in Hornell, retiring in 1992.
A member of Our Lady of the Valley Parish, he was a communicant of St. Ann’s Church in Hornell and was also a Fourth Degree Member of the Hornell Council No. 243, Knight of Columbus, a member of the Maple City Lions Club and Twin Hickory Golf Club.
His loving family includes his wife of 63 years, Joanne; his daughter, Mary Koch Helmer (Charles Zhao) of Rochester; his three grandchildren, Elizabeth Helmer McIntosh (Richard) of Corning, Thomas Helmer (Julie) of Eugene, Ore. and Kathleen Helmer Baxter (Charles) of Portland, Ore; his two great grandchildren, Connor and Christopher McIntosh; his sister, Carolyn Koch Hutton (Michael) of Rochester; his sister-in-law, Margaret Koch of Canisteo; also several nieces and nephews.
Besides his parents, he was also predeceased by his son-in-law, Gerald Helmer; his sister Dolores Koch Morey (Thomas) and his brother, Kenneth “Bud” Koch.
There will be no calling hours. Friends are invited to meet his family at St. Ann’s Church in Hornell where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in his memory at 11 a.m. Saturday. Interment will be held at the convenience of the family at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Town of Fremont.
In lieu of flowers, those wishing may contribute in his memory to Steuben County Rural Ministry, P.O. Box 61, Canisteo, N.Y. 14823. Envelopes for memorial contributions will be available at the church.
Arrangements are with the Bishop & Johnson Funeral Home, Inc., 285 Main St., Hornell.
Online condolences or remembrances of Tom are welcomed at www.bishopandjohnsonfuneralhome.com
