Thomas Dinnel

Thomas Hoagland Dinnel, 78, of Summit, NY died of cancer peacefully at his home the morning of July 18. His body was donated to Albany Medical Center for the use of medical students to further their learning.

Born in Birmingham, Michigan on January 27, 1935, he was the youngest of five children of Thomas D. and Ellen (Hoagland) Dinnel.

An Army veteran, Tom was a 1952 graduate of Cobleskill High School. He was also a graduate of Union College and held a Master of Public Administration Degree from SUNY Albany. He was employed by New York State for over thirty years, first in the office of Governor Nelson Rockefeller and then with the Office of Mental Health. He retired in 1990.

Tom was a member of the Schoharie County Republican Committee and Treasurer of the Summit Republican Club. He served on the Summit Town Council for eight years and had been a member of both the Summit Town Planning Board and Board of Assessment Review.

He was a Past President of the Cobleskill Rotary Club, a Paul Harris Fellow of Rotary International, and a member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Richmondville, where he had served on the Church Council. Tom had also been a member of the Board of the Schoharie County Community Action Program. He was a Past President of the Beard's Hollow Society and had served as its Secretary for 10 years. Tom was a Charter Member of the Schoharie Leatherstocking Chapter of S.A.R. His patriot ancestor was Col. Stryker from Gilboa. He was also past president of the Summit Lake Association.

While spending winters in Florida, Tom volunteered at St. Paul's Episcopal Church Farmer's Market and as Dock Master at the Nature Conservancy of Southwest Florida.

He was married in Cobleskill on August 20, 1955 to Sarah Ann Van Voris.

Survivors include his beloved wife of 57 years, Sarah, one son, Thomas J. (Joan) Dinnel of Vestal, two daughters, Elizabeth E. (John) Iseman of Quaker Street and Catherine M. (Dan) Sidebottom of Cortland, a sister, Helen J. Van Deusen of Sharon, a brother in law, John I. (Cynthia) Van Voris of Tampa FL, eight grandchildren; Emily (Anthony), John Michael, John David, Jennifer, Tommy (Stacy), Molly, Justin, Hannah , Danielle (Steve), two great grandchildren; Tommy, Norah , and seven nieces and two nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, a brother, Page Dinnel, and two sisters, Annella Ingalls and Margaret Fletcher.

Family and friends may come to the calling hours at the Mereness-Putnam Funeral Home, 171 Elm St., Cobleskill on Wednesday July 24 from 5 to 8pm, with a Memorial Service on Thursday, July 25 at 11am at the St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Main St., Richmondville.

Contributions in memory of Tom may be made to the Rotary Foundation, care of of Olive Scott, 116 Parkway Drive, Cobleskill, NY 12043, or to Cobleskill Regional Hospital, 178 Grandview Drive, Cobleskill, NY 12043.