Obituary of Thomas Cruger

Thomas John Cruger, Sr., 28, rejoined his loved ones with God on Saturday, November 5, 2011. Never a man to stand idle, Tom was a doer of all things needing to be done of a husband, father, brother, grandfather, son and citizen. Born November 4, 1929 in his life-long home of Poughkeepsie, NY to the late Charles J. Cruger, Sr. and Irene Marie Rohan, he graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1947, studied in the Local 215 Electrical Apprenticeship Program; and then married the love of his life, surviving Barbara Jean Baker of Chattanooga, TN, on June 3, 1950 at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church in Pleasant Valley, NY. As an eighteen-year-old recruit at Fort Myer during his first hitch in the Army, Tom met his Southern Belle working at the Pentagon in 1948, and was smitten. In Nov. 1950, he recommenced active duty, United States Army PFC, 38th Infantry, was decorated, and received a Purple Heart in 1951. He returned from Korea an excited father, eager to hold his wife again, and their baby girl Diane for the first time. He provided for his family as an IBEW Local 363 Electrician, the trade and values he passed to his sons, Tommy and Mike. A faithful Catholic and member of Holy Trinity Church, he proudly gave his daughter Donna to a man he regarded as his son. Serving the community as former Asst. Chief of Red Oaks Mill Engine 3, he was a life member of the Arlington Fire District, American Legion 739 in Pleasant Valley, and Binghamton Rotary Club. Tom believed that if a man had his pants on, he ought to have a knife in his pocket; he was a resourceful man, who inspired everyone who knew him. At The Camp in the Adirondacks, his favorite times were spent on family trips, hunting, and teaching his grandchildren the secrets of nature. A coin and antique enthusiast, he made collectors of many children, teaching them to bounce pennies and listen for the copper. A craftsman, he reclaimed forgotten things and gave them new life. He tended and cultivated life, both in his abundant garden and the growing generations of his family. He told the greatest stories, which revealed his passion for life (and were all mostly true), and created an oral tradition that lives on. Memory of Tom’s integrity, vitality and kindness is celebrated by his loving wife of 61 years, Barbara J. Cruger; daughter Donna Marie Cruger-Miller and son-in-law Rich Miller of LaGrangeville, son and daughter-in-law Michael J. and Melanie Cruger of Tivoli, and daughter-in-law Terrie Cruger of LaGrangeville; brother Charles J. Cruger, Jr. and sister-in-law Shirley, brother Joseph Cruger, and brother-in-law Frank Zitz; grandchildren Krista J. Miller; Julie Ann and husband, Mike Poplees; Jason Chiavaroli and companion, Veronica; Michael J. Cruger, Jr. and wife, Elisa; Heather Cruger-Tice; Cassondra Cruger; Autumn Cruger and fiancé, John Shaughnessey; Benjamin Cruger; and Chelsey Cruger and fiancé, Teddy Klein; 13 great-grandchildren; and, many nieces, nephews and neighbors. He is reunited in Heaven with his daughter Diane Chiavaroli, and son Thomas J. Cruger, Jr., as well as his sister, Irene Zitz, sister-in-law, Janet Cruger, and grandchild Donna Marie Miller.