Thomas E. Coon

Thomas E. Coon

Thomas E. Coon, 88, of Victor, NY, formerly of Emporium and New Port Ritchey, FL, died Friday, May 14, 2010, in Highland Hospital, Rochester, NY.
Born August 16, 1921 in Arroyo, Elk County, PA, he was the son of Rolin and Grace Wallace Coon. On July 26, 1943 in Bakersfield, CA, he married Edith M. Nelson who died October 4, 2006.
Mr. Coon grew up in Emporium, was a 1939 graduate of Emporium High School, and took courses at several different colleges.
He was a veteran of WWII having served with the US Army as a pilot and flight officer. In England he joined the 50th TCS as a glider pilot and flew a glider over the Rhine landing in Germany.
After the war he and his brother owned Tom & Gene’s Mens Shop in Emporium. He later was employed for 29 years by Emporium Trust Company where he became vice president and retired in 1980. In 1985 he and his wife relocated to New Port Ritchey where they resided until moving to Victor, NY in 2004 to be near family.
Mr. Coon was a member of the First Baptist Church in Emporium and was treasurer of the American Red Cross, Band Boosters and the Fair Fund, all in Emporium.
He is survived by: two daughters, Gwendolyn Mix of Newark, NY and Janice (Bruce) Comstock of Victor, NY; two granddaughters, Stacie (Burt) Kem of Victor and Kerri (Michael) Ryan of New Providence, NJ; four great grandchildren; one sister, Marion (Jim) Whiting of St. Marys; and also nieces and nephews.
In addition to his wife, he was predeceased by three brothers, three sisters, and two sons-in-law, Richard Mix and John Butera.
Friends will be received in the Coppersmith-Condon Funeral Home, Emporium, Saturday, May 22 from 1-3 p.m. at which time Funeral & Committal Services will be held with the Rev. R. Scott Melott, pastor of the First Baptist Church, officiating.
Burial will be in Newton Cemetery, Emporium.
Military honors will be accorded by the Cameron County Memorial Detail.
Memorials, if desired, may be made to the First Baptist Church of Emporium, or the National Kidney Foundation