The son of George Thomas and Virginia May (Chapman) Dietrich, Thomas grew up in Ridgefield, NJ, where he followed his grandfather, father, uncle, and cousin into the Ridgefield Fire Department. As a firefighter, in 1975, he led his eldest daughter’s kindergarten class on a tour of RFD Company #3. A life-long member and councilmember of Morsemere Community Church, UCC (Ridgefield), Thomas met his wife, Lauren “Laurie” Maehrlein, there, in Sunday School.
They married in July 1974, and celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary at Morsemere, by renewing their vows, just 12 days before his death. A Diesel Mechanic by trade, Tom worked for Ryder Truck Rental for 44 years before his retirement. He attended evening classes at Bergen Community College and Montclair State University, working towards a degree in History.
As a constant learner, immersing himself in history, science, and religious studies, he was particularly good at trivia competitions. Tom donated blood and platelets regularly for decades, until medications he needed made him an unsuitable donor. He participated nearly every year in New Milford’s Clean Community Day, often in a kayak, pulling trash out of the Hackensack River.
His philosophy was that everyone needed to do whatever they could to make the world a better place. He loved to travel and fell three states short of visiting all 50. He and Laurie made several trips to Europe, visiting the hometowns of many of their immigrant ancestors, often meeting, and even staying with, several distant cousins in Germany.
His ancestry included Mayflower passengers, and he was proudly, if distantly, related to Susan B. Anthony. At the age of 14, Tom bought his first boat, with a 10 HP outboard motor, while vacationing with his family in Rhode Island.
His passion for boating and fishing, especially on beautiful Lake George, was well known by anyone who would listen to one of his fish tales. A family joke was that he would give up everything else in his life before giving up his little fishing boat! He had a wry sense of humor, that often took people by surprise, and he never met a dog who didn’t love him. “Mr.
Fix-It” endlessly tinkered in his workshop, and reluctantly left behind several unfinished projects. Tom and his son-in-law, Danny, loved finding good craft beers when they were supposed to be running errands. He was an amicable, caring, and loving husband and an exceptionally devoted dad to his children: Amy (Daniel Hernandez), Emily and Jack.
He was an indulgent, patient, hands-on PopPop to his six grandchildren: Brett “Bretski”, Charles “Charlie Mon”, and Evan “Meems” Hernandez and Sutter “Sutter Boy”, Cole “Little PopPop” and Quinn “Little Cutie” Totaro. He was his granddogger, Luna’s, favorite person. In addition to his wife, children, and grandchildren, Tom is survived by his beloved brother, Cliff, of Ridgefield, who worked side by side with him at Ryder.
Additional survivors include several much-loved cousins, and his sisters- and brothers-in-law, who loved him dearly. Friends called from 3:00 p.m.
to 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, August 14, 2024 at Morsemere Community Church, United Church of Christ, 930 Linden Avenue in Ridgefield, NJ.
Funeral services were held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, August 15, 2024 at the church.
Burial will follow at Ridgefield Cemetery. The family wishes to thank the wonderful nurses, aides, especially, Eunice, Eileen, Precious, and Berilla, and therapists at Regent Care Center, Hackensack, NJ, who took excellent, loving care of him for almost three months; High Peaks Hospice; CNA, Heidi Laramie; and dear, life-long, family friend, Sue Wittmann, for making his last days as easy as possible. Thanks, also, to the many family members and friends who visited, called, prayed for, or sent cards to Tom.
He very much appreciated the love and kindnesses. In lieu of flowers, donations to Morsemere Community Church, Hackensack Riverkeeper, the Lake George Association, and/or the ARC of Bergen and Passaic Counties, will be greatly appreciated. Arrangements are under the care of Carleton Funeral Home, Inc.
, 68 Main Street in Hudson Falls, NY as well as Blackley Funeral Home, 809 Broad Avenue in Ridgefield, NJ. Online remembrances may be made by visiting www.carletonfuneralhome.
net ..
