Thomas A. Stolz

Thomas Arthur Stolz, 68, of Liverpool, passed away on September 3, 2025, at Francis House in Syracuse, New York. He left this earth peacefully surrounded by his loving family. Tom was born May 7, 1957, in Hazleton, Pennsylvania. He was the son of Howard Earl Stolz, Sr. and Elizabeth Jane “Betty” Wehner, and the youngest of their three children. He grew up in Wilkes-Barre and Edwardsville, Pennsylvania. Tom was a member of the Class of 1975 at West Side Area Vocational Technical School in Kingston, Pennsylvania. He received his undergraduate degree from Kings College in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, and a master’s in computer science from Syracuse University. From 1983 to 2011 he worked at General Electric, Martin Marietta, and Lockheed Martin as a software engineer. He taught continuing education classes, C and C++ programing language courses while employed at GE and Lockheed Martin. He volunteered at Rosamond Gifford Zoo working in diet prep for the animals and worked part-time for zoo admissions and EFX Currency Exchange. One late summer day in 1982, Tom went to the New York State Fair with his friend John, who invited along a fellow friend and SU student named Cathy. Even though this was the first time that Tom and Cathy had ever met, it was here that Tom told John he was going to marry Cathy one day. Tom and Cathy went on their first date together to a concert that October. Eleven months later, Tom married the love of his life, Catherine N. “Cathy” Owen, on August 13, 1983, at St. Joseph’s Church in Burlington, Vermont. During their 42-year marriage they raised their two sons in Liverpool, where they enjoyed watching them play soccer, hockey, karate, tennis, and in the school orchestra. Later in life they welcomed numerous grandchildren into their family. Tom enjoyed being a part of their everyday lives and was always willing to drop everything to spend as much time with them as possible. Tom deeply loved and was intensely devoted to his family and grandchildren, by whom he was known lovingly as “Pop Pop.” His stalwart presence in their lives created memories for them that will be passed down through generations. He also enjoyed collecting stamps, dining out with family and friends, listening to music, and watching tv shows, films and tennis matches. He loved every place he traveled around the world, especially in recent years to visit friends in Australia. Tom was preceded in death by his parents, Earl and Elizabeth; sister, Judith Ann Thuemmler; infant brother, Howard Earl Stolz, Jr.; father-in-law, David Owen; mother-in-law, Anna Owen; brother-in-law, Richard Joseph Owen; sister-in-law, Sheila Catherine Owen; granddaughter, Elowen Josephine Riley; and close family members, Allen H. Sager and Thomas F. Zuk. The legacy of a person’s life is measured by the lives they’ve touched, and how much they were loved. Tom’s legacy and memory will live on forever in those he left behind. He is survived by his wife, Cathy; son, Scott M. Stolz (Amherst, NY); son, Cory S. Stolz and daughter-in-law Brittany A. Stolz (Baldwinsville, NY); in-laws, Daniel A. Sager and Tracy Z. Sager (Baldwinsville, NY), Joan A. Zuk (North Syracuse, NY), Thomas A. Sager and Brei N. Sager (Baldwinsville, NY), Brandon J. Riley and Ashley E. Riley (Bainbridge Island, WA); grandchildren, Soren Thomas and Sylas Daniel Stolz, Jameson Allen and Natalya Genevieve “Nellie” Sager, and Welles Joseph Riley. He is also survived by several cousins, nieces, nephews, and many close friends that will treasure his memory. Calling hours will be held on Monday, September 8, 2025, from 4 to 6 pm, at Fergerson Funeral Home, 215 South Main Street, North Syracuse. On Tuesday, September 9, 2025, a prayer service will be at 9:15 am at the funeral home followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 am at Saint Rose of Lima Church, 407 South Main Street, North Syracuse. The Rite of Committal will be celebrated at 4 pm on Friday, September 12th at the pavilion of North Syracuse Cemetery, 555 South Bay Road, North Syracuse. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Tom’s name and memory to Francis House, 108 Michaels Ave., Syracuse, NY 13208 or to Hospice of CNY, 990 Seventh North St, Liverpool, NY 13088 or to CNY SPCA, 5878 East Molloy Road, Syracuse, NY 13211.

Tributes

Thomas A. Stolz

September 3, 2025