Thomas John Rennie

Thomas J. Rennie, 67, of Pine City, NY, passed away unexpectedly on October 27, 2023.

Born on August 8, 1956, he was the son of the late William and Helena "Buffy" (Buffalin) Rennie; he was also predeceased by his beloved mother and father-in-law, Margaret “Peg” (Gowdy) Callas and James “Jimmy” Callas, whom he also called “Mom and Dad”. He was a graduate of Southside High School, class of 1974.

After high school, Tom attended (then) SCT BOCES, receiving his certification to be an LPN.  He worked for Chemung County Nursing Facility for 30 years, retiring in 2018. Tom always insisted he would never complete his RN, because he wanted to continue to provide the direct patient care he enjoyed so much throughout his career. The patients and families of those he served at CCNF would often stop Tom and his family in public to thank him for taking such wonderful care of their loved ones and their families when they needed it most.

On September 25, 1982, Tom married Georgia Callas at Trinity Episcopal Church. They recently celebrated their 41st wedding anniversary together, after many happy years of love and adventure. Everyone who knew Tom knew how madly in love he was with his wife; many friends and family idealized and remarked upon the unwavering, passionate (and sometimes embarrassing to their children) love they have for each other.

Tom had two passions: his family, especially his granddaughters, and his Wednesday night Dungeons and Dragons game. Tom was a voracious reader and writer. He continuously re-read works by J.R.R. Tolkien and watched, at too high a volume, any Star Wars-related content. Tom immensely enjoyed watching football, especially college football, rooting for the underdog or rooting against his friend’s opposing team. Tom’s favorite places were the Finger Lakes, where he spent many happy summers growing up and later with his wife and children, and the hill behind his home in the country. In more recent years, Tom was able to enjoy a permanent campsite on Lake Ontario, where he swam in water that was too cold for most people and fish. Tom enjoyed swimming in his beloved backyard pool every day, opening it early in the season and closing it as late as humanly possible.

As a self-proclaimed child at heart, Tom spent countless hours playing and imagining with his grandchildren. He was tickled by his shared love of Rock-and-Roll and quick wit with Luna, and physically tickled by Ramona, who immensely enjoyed touching his famous beard. “Pop” would never miss a Facetime with Ramona during dinner, or a chance to play pretend with Luna, even if he was otherwise preoccupied. He was endlessly amused by the pair, and his plentiful laughter will be echoing in our hearts, always.

Tom was continuously surrounded by women in all arenas of his life and conveyed a good- spirited humor, even when it was at his expense. Due to the cloud of estrogen that usually engulfed him, Wednesday nights at D&D with the boys, whom he considered brothers, were sacred. Tom spent countless hours cozy in his armchair creating stories, characters, and campaigns for his D&D adventures. Fantasy books, graph paper and pencils, notebooks, and Monster Manuals could be found in every room of the house. While Tom loved to dream of other worlds and epic adventures, he loved being home in his own backyard or reading in his chair most of all.

Tom loved cooking, which he learned from an early age from his mom and beloved grandparents. Tom’s favorite family recipes included lasagna from scratch, Italian meat pies, and his homemade spaghetti and meatballs, which was often requested when friends and family came to visit. Tom found joy in the simple pleasures of a good meal, and could often be heard humming and seen doing a little dance at the end of a great dinner, or most especially, dessert. Tom carried on the tradition, following his grandparents and mom, of the Italian Feast of Seven Fishes on Christmas Eve (albeit the number of fishes was reduced to one- the famous stuffed calamari); he was in his glory feeding and sharing a glass of red in a jelly jar, with the continual stream of friends, family, and anyone who needed a hot meal and good company, who added the Rennies’ party to their Christmas Eve festivities. Tom was proud of his Italian and Scottish heritage, honoring the Italian side through cooking, and the Scottish side through wearing a kilt at both his daughters’ weddings, as well as his trademark Scottish stubbornness and skepticism of authority.

Tom is survived by his wife, Georgia, daughters Carolyn (Kevin Falkenberg) Rennie, and Colleen (Travis) Shockley; grandchildren Luna Falkenberg and Ramona Shockley, brothers Bill Rennie and Jim (Patrice) Rennie. He is survived by many dear cousins and his most special Uncle John Rennie, whom he thought of as a father. He is also survived by his loving nieces and nephews, whom he loved as deeply as his own children, Andrea, Jerid, Mary, and Erin, and many who adopted him as their own Uncle or Papa Tom over the years. Tom’s famous hugs were a balm for all ailments or hurts, and he made it a point to embrace his family members long and dearly each time he saw them. Nobody in his life ever wondered if Tom loved them- he shared his joy and affection openly and often.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions, if desired, be made to: Steele Memorial Library at 101 East Church St., Elmira, NY 14901

There will be calling hours for the public on November 3rd, 2023 from 2PM-4PM at Olthof Funeral Home, Inc. 1050 Pennsylvania Ave., Elmira, NY, 14904 with a Celebration of Life to follow at 4PM.

Tom was a lover of stories, and the family would like to create a memory book to be bound in his honor. The book will be entitled There and Back Again, just as Bilbo Baggins would have it. As such, the family invites you to share your favorite memories of Tom through email at [email protected] or at the funeral home, where notepaper will be made available.

Tom would want everyone to know, “I’ll remember that.”