Thomas P. Tiefel, 85, of Bergen, passed away peacefully on December 24, 2023, at Crossroads House in Batavia after a long illness. Born on June 27, 1938 in Rochester NY. to the late Lucille and Harrison (Bud) Tiefel.
Beloved father, grandfather, uncle, brother, and friend was a United States Navy veteran, serving in “Operation Hard Tack” in 1958 during the Atomic Testing Age in the South Pacific. After his service, he was employed at Xerox Corp, a career that spanned 44 years. He had a passion for building and racing Triumph motorcycles in the 1960’s, earning the nickname “Tommy 2 Motor” after his twin-engine Triumph drag motorcycle. After his racing career, he found another passion in hunting and the development of hunting/archery equipment. Thomas was also a member of the United States Trotting Association, owning standardbred racehorses that competed at Batavia Downs in the mid 1980’s-1990’s . His later years were spent riding his motorcycle, spending time on the family farm in North Bergen, NY., enjoying hunting, the outdoors, spending time with his grandson, Noah, and helping with producing hay in the summertime. He will probably be most remembered for his “to-the-point” personality, his quick wit, and always had a good joke or funny commentary on the ready.
He was predeceased by his wife Linda A. Tiefel and his sister, Mary Joan Tiefel-VanSlooten of Greece, NY.
Thomas is survived by his son, Historian-Thomas M. Tiefel (Connie) of North Bergen, grandson, Noah Foster of North Bergen, niece, Debbie LaMendola (Patrick) of Penfield, NY, nephew, Charles VanSlooten of North Chili, NY, cousins, family members, lifelong friends, the late Bob Anselm, David DelVechio (Peggy) of Victor, NY and Frank Lucisano (Cathrine) of Rochester, NY.
Friends may call on Saturday, January 6, 2023 from 10:30 am to 12:00 pm at the H.E. Turner & Co. Funeral Home, 51 South Lake Avenue, Bergen, where services will immediately follow visitation at 12:00 pm. He will be laid to rest, with military honors, in Mount Rest Cemetery, Bergen. Following graveside services, all are invited to a celebration of his life at Sage Pavilion (in Hartland Park), 62 South Lake Avenue, Bergen. Flowers are gratefully declined. Memorials may be made to Crossroads House, P.O. Box 403, Batavia, NY 14021, www.crossroadshouse.com/donate.
To leave a condolence, share a story or light a candle in his memory, please visit www.bataviafuneralhomes.com.
