Obituary of Thomas J. Karroach

Thomas J. Karroach "Loving husband, father and grandfather" Allegany, NY Thomas J. Karroach of 3431 N. 7th St. passed away Friday (September 16, 2016) at his home after a brief illness. Born July 28, 1944 in Olean he was a son of the late Francis and Cecelia Moors Karroach. On June 17, 1967 at St. Mary's Church in Batavia he married Oria Bauer who survives. Tom attended St. Bonaventure Parochial School and later graduated from Allegany Central School in 1963. In recent year he enjoyed the monthly class get-togethers in town. He had been employed by Dresser Rand for 42 years, most recently as an assembler, retiring in 2006. He had been active as a treasurer with both the United Steelworkers Local 4701 Retirees Association and the SOAR group, both retirement clubs associated with Dresser Rand. He was also a longtime member of the International Order of Odd Fellows, first joining a Lodge in Corfu and then the IOOF United Lodge 98 in Lockport for the past 14 years. He also was a current associate member of the Lodge in Bolivar. Additionally, he belonged to the local Rebekah Lodge in Allegany for the past 12 years where he served as the Noble Grand for several terms. In 2014-2015 he was appointed a State Officer (Outside Guardian position) for the Rebekah Jurisdiction of NYS. He enjoyed bowling on various men's and mixed doubles leagues and well as participating in area horseshoe leagues. Surviving besides his wife are a son James (Cindy) Karroach of Allegany; a daughter Ann Travis of Olean; 5 grandchildren Amanda Travis, Angela Travis, Brittney Karroach, Courtney Karroach and Jason Karroach; his mother-in-law Gloria Bauer of Alabama Center; a daughter-in-law Marcie Karroach; 1 sister Dorothy (DeWayne) Woodling of Deltona, FL; 1 brother Gerald Karroach of Allegany; several nieces and nephews; 2 sisters-in-law Cheryl (Gary) Heim of Tennessee and Gail (Patrick) Gast of Pennsylvania and 2 brothers-in-law Terry Bauer of Alabama Center and Albert Bauer of Eden. He was predeceased by a son Joe Karroach on July 9, 2003. Friends will be received at the Casey, Halwig & Hartle Funeral Home 3128 W. State Rd. Olean on Tuesday from 2-4 & 7-9pm. Funeral services will be held Wednesday (September 21, 2016) at 1:00pm in the funeral home. Burial will be in St. Bonaventure Cemetery. Memorials may be made to a charity of the donor's choice. Online condolences may be expressed at oleanfuneralhome.com.