Obituary of Thomas J. DeBerry

On Saturday, March 24th, Thomas J. DeBerry, 64, passed away peacefully at his home, surrounded by the love of his family. His 12 month battle with pancreatic cancer is now over, having fought it with courage, strength and dignity. Born and raised in Amsterdam, NY, Tom graduated from Siena College in 1977. His passion for golf led him in to this field of employment for the next several decades. He served as an assistant golf pro at Winding Brook, Tall Timbers and Colonie Country Clubs. In 1981, he became the Head Golf Pro/Director of Golf at Normanside Country Club in Delmar, proudly serving its membership for the next 28 years. Many lasting friendships were made, and he was lovingly nicknamed "Pro" and "The Director." In 2009, Tom left Normanside to begin a new phase of employment at the NYS Supreme Court, Appellate Division, Third Department. Tom took great pride in his membership in the PGA of America. In 1990-1991, he served as the section president of the Northeastern NY PGA. Section awards earned include the PGA Golf Professional of the Year in 1986 and 1999, the PGA Section Merchandiser of the Year for Private Clubs in 1992 and 2000, the PGA Section Bill Strausbaugh Club Relations Award in 1989 and 1999, and the PGA Section Junior Golf Leader of the Year in 2008. Tom was very honored to be inducted into the NENY PGA Hall of Fame in 2004. Certainly family was always first. Tom also enjoyed golf, Steelers football and the annual trip to Pittsburgh, the Yankees, a good Dateline, summers on the deck with an ice cold coors Lite, Saratoga Race Track, and Sunday afternoons at Del with the boys! Tom is survived by his beloved wife of 27 years, Heidi, and their cherished children Lindsey and Michael. Also survived by his parents, Jim and Nancy of Amsterdam, NY; brother Jim (Jamie) of San Diego, CA; sister-in-law Sueann Senecal (Rusty) of Rexford, NY; mother-in-law Mary Knuth of East Greenbush, NY; faithful dog Max; nieces Courtney and Meghan; nephews Christopher, Ryan and Jase; and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. Special thanks to St. Peter's Oncology and Community Hospice (especially Sherri and Nick!) We sincerely appreciate your care and compassion throughout this journey. The funeral will be Friday at 10am at the Greenbush Reformed Church, 688 Columbia Turnpike, East Greenbush. Relatives and friends are invited to the calling hours on Thursday from 4-7 at Wm. J. Rockefeller Funeral Home, 165 Columbia Turnpike, Rensselaer. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Tom's name to the Lustgarten Foundation, 415 Crossways Park Drive, Suite D, Woodbury, NY 11797; or the Greenbush Reformed Church, 688 Columbia Turnpike, East Greenbush, NY 12061; or the Community Hospice, Gift Processing Center, 310 S. Manning Boulevard, Albany NY 12208. To know Tom was to love him. He just had that way. He will be dearly missed. Rest in peace.