Thomas W. Gooch of Lakewood, NY passed away on Thursday, August 8, 2024 at his home.

He was born October 16, 1928 in Blasdell, NY, the son of Thomas Gooch Sr. and Esther Engdahl Gooch. He was a graduate of Southwestern High School and joined the Army to serve as an Artillery Man in the Korean War.

After his discharge, he worked various jobs before joining the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation in 1958. He worked as a Conservation Officer for 33 years until his retirement in 1991.

He was an avid outdoorsman, as he loved hunting, fishing, piloting, gardening and skiing. He was part of the Cockaigne Ski Resort ski patrol team for many years. Tom proudly served with the 1980 Winter Olympics security team in Lake Placid, NY.

In addition, Tom enjoyed traveling abroad and made many trips to Germany. It was there where Tom married his wife Inge, in 1983. Remarkably, Tom had the joy of celebrating his 95th birthday with all of his family last November when they traveled on a Rhine riverboat cruise.

Tom was preceded in death by his daughter, Michelle Gooch Benson and his son, Thomas W. Gooch, Jr. He was the father of Wendy K (Scott) Chase of Randolph, Kimberly O'Connell of Englewood, FL, Brenda VanderPol of Kissimmee, FL, along with several grandchildren.

A service will be announced at a later date.