Thomas A. Geffert

Portsmouth, NH – Thomas Andrew Geffert, 90, of Sarasota, Florida, died peacefully on January 25, 2022 at Wentworth Senior Living in Portsmouth, New Hampshire.

Born on October 25, 1931 to Anna Hudock and Andrew Geffert, Tom matriculated at Hazleton High School in Hazleton, Pennsylvania, and Penn State University.  Tom served in the United States Army after college and relished being stationed in Germany and touring Europe.  In 1960, Tom passed the New York City architectural boards in one sitting (a feat) so he could marry the love of his life, Anne Leary Geffert.

Tom was happily married for more than 58 years to Anne, who passed on April 25, 2019.

Tom is predeceased by his older siblings, Dorothy Bresnock and James Geffert.

Tom is survived by his four children MaryLiz Geffert of Portsmouth, NH; Thomas Geffert (w. Kieran Kinney Geffert) of Mill Valley, CA; Katie Geffert Schneider (h. Rich Schneider) of Teaneck, NJ and Julie Geffert Rimas (h. A. Paul Rimas) of Mill Valley, CA.  A devoted grandfather, he will be forever adored by his nine grandchildren:  Ruby and Nora Epler, Chase and Jack Geffert, Callum and Margaret Schneider, and Anna, Katie, and Tommy Rimas.

Tom and Anne married and moved to Teaneck, New Jersey in 1960, where they became active members of St. Anastasia Parish and raised their four children.  Tom participated in Cursillo and maintained his friendship with his Fourth Day Group and others from St. Anastasia Church up to his death.  After moving to Sarasota, Florida, with Anne in 2015, Tom was active in the St. Thomas More parish, regularly socializing with other parishioners.

Tom was a successful architect and a principal in his own architectural and engineering firm in New York City for most of his career.  A consummate host, expert cook, and tireless clean-up crew, for over 50 years, Tom joined with Anne as social director, to welcome friends, family, and strangers to their home at 95 Johnson Avenue for countless dinner parties and celebrations.  Tom was a loving and engaged husband, father, grandfather, uncle, and friend.  He took care of everyone, serving up sandwiches, nourishing meals on hot plates (eat ‘em and beat ‘em!), sage advice, and full, listening attention to all.  A creative man, Tom undertook ambitious home improvement projects, sewed drapes and Christmas outfits for his wife and daughters, arranged flowers, and learned how to carve wood so that he could offer up a ‘Tandenlade’ sign to the Miller-Leary’s.  Tom loved beauty in architecture, art, food, flowers, books.  Voted best dancer in high school, Tom never missed an opportunity to whirl his beloved Anne on a dance floor.

Tom was a eucharistic minister and altar server, served meals to folks in NYC’s Bowery and volunteered at the St. Thomas More Food Pantry.  Tom served on the Peace Health Board of The Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace, who own and manage Holy Name Hospital and Villa Marie Claire Residential Hospice.  Tom was a member of the Teaneck Planning Board.  Tom and Anne were members of the Oritani Field Club, Hackensack Golf Club, and Stoneybrook Golf and Country Club, where Anne regularly bested Tom at tennis and golf.

Funeral services will be held at St. Thomas More Church in Sarasota on February 12, 2022 at 9:30am.  A memorial Mass will take place at St. Anastasia Church in Teaneck at a later date.  In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Tom’s name to St. Anastasia Catholic Church, Teaneck, NJ, or St. Thomas More Catholic Church, Sarasota, FL.