Thomas (Tom) J. Jenkusky, 85, of Lewis Center, Ohio, passed away peacefully surrounded by loved ones at home on Saturday, October 1, 2022 due to complications of a head injury he had sustained in September 2022.
Tom was born on July 8, 1937 to Aloysius and Catherine Jenkusky in New York City. After graduating from Queens Vocational High School in Queens, New York in 1953, Tom began a 50+ year career in metal fabrication with Romero Metal Products in Astoria, New York and ended his career in 2004 with C.H.I. Fabrication Services a company he founded in 1992 in Downsville, NY.
Tom also had a thirty year parallel career in New York City high society catering where he enjoyed working with his brothers Joe and Jack. Tom worked for some of the most influential politicians, celebrities, diplomats and business people at the time and enjoyed sharing the stories of he and his brothers exploits in the industry. Tom and his brother Jack were featured in a 1980 article in New York Magazine for their professional approach to the business.
In 1964, he met Carolyn Jean Barnett, and they wed in 1965, raising three boys together Kenneth, Eric and Mark.
Tom was dedicated to his family and his community. He was highly involved in Downsville, the Town of Colchester and Delaware County where he served in various capacities. Over the years Tom served as President of the Downsville Lion’s Club, President of Colchester Chamber of Commerce, as a Committeeman of the Colchester Republican Committee and was elected as a town councilman for the Town of Colchester.
Tom was an avid historian and one of the highlights of his time serving as President of the Colchester Chamber of Commerce was being a part of the team that worked to have the Downsville Covered Bridge restored in 1998 and the subsequent Covered Bridge Festival that celebrated the completion and rededication of the bridge.
Tom was predeceased by his loving wife of 57 years Carolyn in February 2022, his parents Aloysius and Catherine, and his older brothers Joe and Jack. Tom is survived by his sons Kenneth, Eric (Lucia), Mark (Erin), grandchildren, Roger, Kristin, Caitlin, Jeremy, Jacob and Jameson, and Great-Grandchildren, several in-laws, nieces and nephews all of whom he loved dearly.
Tom was a patriot and had an unending belief in the promise of America for all.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers please consider making a donation to their local area hospice. There will be a celebration of life on Saturday, July 29, 2023 at 3 p.m. at the home of Jeremy & Mary Jenkusky on River Road in Downsville.
