Mr. Thomas James Wilkins

Thomas James Wilkins, 64, of 67 Church St, Cortland, N.Y. passed away December 27, 2014 after a short illness. Tom was born on October 12, 1950 in Lyons, N.Y. and was the oldest son of Edgar and Eleanor Gilkey Wilkins. As a young child, the family moved to Cortland where he attended S.U.N.Y Cortland Campus School and graduated from Cortland High School in 1968. Tom started his career at the Cortland County Tax Mapping Department. He then held various positions including owner and operator of T-N-T, a landscaping business, heads of grounds and maintenance at Cortland High School, Superintendent of grounds at Walden Oaks and finally he had retired from The Home Depot. Tom had many varied interests. He was an avid baseball fan which took him to several Major League Baseball parks across the country. Not only did he love watching the game, he also collected and sold baseball cards and memorabilia at shows in several states. His love and devotion to the game prompted him to become a Little League Umpire, sharing his love of the game with the next generation. Tom's second passion was gardening. He was known throughout the neighborhood for his fresh produce grown in the small plot behind his house. In addition to vegetables, every spring the yard was transformed with pots of seasonal flowers. Inside the house he grew orchids, at one time he had over 20 plants of several different species. His most important passion was spending time with his family. He loved taking trips to Vegas, Atlantic City, the Outer Banks, N. Carolina and visiting his grandchildren Ben and Ella in Maryland. Most recently he enjoyed his outings with his brothers in law, including their weekly breakfasts. Tom is survived by his high school sweetheart, Judi of 41 years, son, Tyler and daughter, Rebecca (Aaron) Sprouse and grandchildren, Benjamin and Ella; his brother, Robert (Mitzi) Wilkins and aunts, uncles and cousins. He is also survived by his sisters in law; Cheryl (Peter) Contento and Kathy (Gerald) Coggi and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Edgar and Eleanor Wilkins, maternal and paternal grandparents and several aunts and uncles and his mother in law and father in law, Josephine and Benjamin Robbins. The family will be present to receive guests on Friday January 2, 2015 from 2-4 p.m. in the Riccardi Funeral Home Chapel. A prayer service will follow visitation at 4 p.m. Contributions in Tom's memory may be made to cure PSP (Progressive Supranuclear Palsy) 30 E. Padonia Rd. Suite 201 Timonium, MD 21093 "Our death is not an end if we can live on in our children and the younger generation. For they are us, our bodies are only wilted leaves on the tree of life" Albert Einstein

Mr. Thomas James Wilkins

October 12, 1950 - December 27, 2014