Obituary of Thomas Van Pernis

Hornell – Thomas A. Van Pernis passed away April 25, 2023 at age 76 following a recent illness. He was born in Dansville on December 30, 1946, son of the late James and Abbie Van Pernis. Tom graduated from Dansville Central School District and worked in the grocery store business before joining the United States Navy. Tom proudly served his country for four years as a Hospital Corpsman during the Vietnam War. He returned from active duty and worked at A&P until 1982. Tom then worked at Wilson Farms in Rochester for a bit before returning back to Hornell to work at Kraft Foods in Avon until he retired in 2008 to provide care to his mother and father in Dansville. After his father’s death in 2008, he cared for his mother at his home in Hornell until her passing in 2010. Tom was also predeceased by his sister Virginia Nichols. Tom is survived by his brothers, James Jr (Cathy) Van Pernis and David (Jennifer) Van Pernis; his brother-in-law William Nichols; nieces Janet(Randy) Schepler, Beth Nichols, Jessica (Travis) Weaver and Jaimie (Alec) Van Pernis-Hawley; nephews Mark Nichols, Dirk and Andrew Van Pernis; great nieces Talulah and Tomasina Van Pernis-Hawley and great nephews James R. Hoyt, Alexander (Carolyn) Schepler and Dylan Schepler. Tom loved bowling, playing chess on a jumbo chess board, watching his soaps and football, and telling jokes. He enjoyed conversations with his brothers to get the latest updates on the family and liked giving little gifts to people. Whether it was bottled water to his postal carriers, newspapers and magazines to his friends, sweet treats to the staff at his Dr’s offices or as of recently, marshmallows to his fellow residents at Steuben Center for rehab. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends. Special thanks to Dave, Liz and FF Pete. His family appreciates all of his friends who checked in on him either in person, over the phone, or who brought him a warm meal. He really enjoyed his friendships. Tom’s generous spirit and compassion to all who knew him will be missed. Family and friends are invited to an Interment with Full Military Honors on Friday May 19 2:30pm in Greenmount Cemetery, Dansville. Arrangements by the Hindle Funeral Home Inc. 271 Main St. Dansville, NY 14437. Online remembrances may be left at HindleFuneralHome.com. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Hornell Fire Local 835 110 Broadway Hornell, NY 14843, or the Food Bank of the Southern Tier 388 Upper Oakwood Avenue Elmira, NY 14903