Thomas D. Shearer

August 29, 1925 - December 6, 2018

Thomas D. Shearer, Jr., 93, of Northville, NY, passed away peacefully Thursday, December 6, 2018 at St Mary’s Hospital, Amsterdam, NY, in the presence of his loving family. Born August 29, 1925 in Herkimer, NY, son of Thomas D. and Ethel Gunter Shearer, the eldest of 6 children, he graduated from Herkimer High School in 1943 and the NYS College of Forestry at Syracuse University in 1949. On June 25, 1955 he married Phyllis L. Jenison of Herkimer at the First United Methodist Church, Herkimer, NY, had four children and resided over the years in Herkimer, Colonie, Guilderland, and Northville, NY. An avid outdoorsman from his youth, he enjoyed swimming, skiing, fishing, and hunting; active in sports he ran the mile in High School. Following High School he joined the Army Air Corps as a B-29 aviation cadet, coming home in October 1945, later joining the Air Force Reserve retiring as a Master Sergeant. He began selling Christmas trees that November, starting college in January 1946. Following college Tom was employed by the NY State Department of Environmental Conservation from 1949 for 54 years, serving first as Forester and later as District Forester, Northville; Regional Supervisor, Ray Brook, and Forest Preserve Bureau Chief in Albany. He attended North Carolina State, Raleigh, NC, developed groundbreaking inventory procedures for State forestlands, working with the US Forest Service. He wrote management plans for Public campgrounds, the 1980 Winter Olympics, and Belleayre, Whiteface, and Gore Mountain Ski Centers. Many remember Tom for his Christmas tree business from 1945 to present, and his passion of growing Christmas trees, building a log Cabin, practicing forestry, and spending time on his Scotchbush forestland. He and Phyllis were active in church and community, and with family. A 3rd Degree Mason, he served as Master of the Herkimer Masonic Lodge. He joined the Boy Scouts in 1937 serving for over 70 years including leading the Herkimer Explorer Post, Guilderland Cub Pack 50, and Northville Troop 55. He is survived by children Thomas (Pam) Shearer, Alexandria, VA; Richard Shearer, Perth, NY; Daniel (Jennifer) Shearer, Annapolis, MD; Pamela (Steve) Junquera, Northville (Scotia); and grandchildren, Brian and Eric Junquera, Northville (Scotia); Daniel, Julia, and Sophie Shearer, Annapolis; and Megan Shearer, Alexandria; his sisters Marilyn Green, Jean (Vernon) Snyder, his brother in-law Edward (Ruth) Jenison, many cousins, nieces and nephews. He was pre-deceased by his loving wife Phyllis, sister Margaret (Oscar) Anderson, brother James (Victoria) Shearer, Lloyd Green, and sister Claris. Friends and family may call on Friday, December 14, 2018, 4-7 PM, at the Northville Funeral Home, with Memorial Service Saturday, December 15, 2018, 11 AM at the First United Methodist Church, Northville. A graveside service with Military Honors will be held at a later date. Memorial contributions in place of flowers may be made to First United Methodist Church, 301 S Main St, Northville, NY; Free Methodist Church, 190 Church St, St. Johnsville, NY; or First United Methodist Church, 127 N Prospect St, Herkimer, NY.