Obituary of Thomas M. Cummings

Thomas Martin Cummings, 70, of Syracuse died Friday, December 22, 2006 at Loretto in Syracuse. He was born February 1, 1936 in Syracuse, the son of the late William Cummings and Elsie Corbett. He graduated from C. W. Baker High School in Baldwinsville, and served in the U.S. Army from November 1956 to November 1959. He married Betty Jackson on December 27, 1956. After Tom was discharged from the service, the couple made their home for many years in Baldwinsville. Tom worked for Clarke American for more than two decades. He also worked several years as a custodian for the Liverpool Central School District. He had an intense interest in the Civil War and amassed a large collection of books about the war. He visited most of the major Civil War battlefields, including Gettysburg, Fredericksburg and Antietam. In addition to his visiting Civil War battlefields, he liked to travel and he and his wife visited Morocco and Spain. He also visited Jamaica, Mexico, Canada and traveled thoughout the United States. Tom was a talented hobbyist and enjoyed putting together wooden ship models in his spare time. In addition to his wife, he is survived by a son, David Cummings of White House, Tenn.; three daughters, Karen Disotelle and her husband Mike of Mooresville, NC, Laura Cummings of Phoenix, NY and her fiancé John Stanek, and Julie Griep and her husband John of Preston, MD; a brother, Lawrence Cummings and his wife Martha of Dewitt, NY; a sister, Linda Stowell and her husband David of Geneva, NY; a sister-in-law, Donna Cummings of St. Louis, MO; five grandchildren, Sarah Bello of Phoenix, Derek and Danielle Disotelle of Mooresville, and Joshua and Jodie Griep of Preston; and several nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by a brother, James Cummings, and a sister Rose. A Memorial Services will be held at a later date. Falardeau Funeral Home, Baldwinsville has charge of arrangements. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Civil War Preservation Trust, 11 Public Square, Suite 200, Hagerstown, MD 21740.