Thomas A. Rausa

Thomas A. Rausa, 83, of DeRuyter Lake, NY, and formerly of Cincinnatus, NY, passed away on Wednesday, February 16, 2022, at his home, while surrounded by his family.

Tom was born in Hamilton, NY, on May 12, 1938, the son of the late Rosario and Mary LeGreca Rausa.  In his younger years, Tom, along with his brother, Zip, were star basketball players for Hamilton High School.  After high school, he proudly served in the U.S. Army from 1957 to 1959 where he played baseball for the Army.  He retired from Cincinnatus Central School in 1993 as a high school math and computer teacher for 32 years and was instrumental in establishing the computer class for the school.  In addition to teaching, he also served as the basketball and golf coach for the school.  He was a member of the Cincinnatus Lion’s Club and had previously served as the Cincinnatus Town Supervisor.  He spent many years as an active member of the Knickerbocker Country Club where he coordinated many golf tournaments with his best friends, Pat and Henry Knickerbocker.  He enjoyed spending time at DeRuyter Lake, either sitting in front of the store or fishing on the lake and, in fact, would often sneak away from the store before his work was done to go fishing.

He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Sandra Kallet Rausa; and his daughters, Julie (Robert) Sickle of St. Leonard, MD, and Nicole (Jerry) Rice of DeRuyter Lake.  He also leaves behind his grandchildren, Megan (Justin) Rollins of St. Leonard, MD, Samantha (Adrian Montalvo) Sickle of Prince Federick, MD, Jordan Rice of San Diego, CA, and Joely Rice of Los Angeles, CA; great-grandchildren, Moses and Avery Rollins; sisters, Marie (Steve) Wickwire of NC, and Tina (Marvin) Rausa of Fredonia; several nieces, nephews and cousins.

In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his brother, Rosario “Zip” Rausa, Jr., in 2018.

Funeral services will be held at the K.L. Sharp Funeral Home, Cincinnatus, NY, on Sunday, February 20, 2022, at 3:00 p.m. with his daughter, Julie Sickle, officiating.  Burial will be in the Cincinnatus Cemetery at a later date.  The family will be present to receive friends at the funeral home on Sunday from 1:00 p.m. until the start of the service at 3:00 p.m.  Face masks will be optional.  Expressions of sympathy in memory of Tom may be directed to the Cincinnatus Education Association, c/o Linda Laudig, 2809 Cincinnatus Road, Cincinnatus, NY 13040.