Obituary of Thomas Earl Mann

Thomas Mann (1935 - 2012) Endicott: Thomas Earl Mann passed away peacefully in Lourdes Hospital after a short, courageous battle with cancer at the age of 76. He went to a better place to rejoin his family members; his parents Earl and Bertha Weary Mann, his father and mother-in-law Joseph and Veronica Gaidos Gristick, his infant sister, Nancy Louise Mann and his son, Thomas Michael Mann. Tom is survived by his wife of nearly 52 years, Veronica Gristick Mann and his son Christopher of Endicott, his daughter Tama Mann of Owego and his daughter Danielle Crawn (Pete) of Rome, PA and their sons Timothy and Michael Crawn of Kingston, PA, his daughter-in-law, Lisa Cardullo Mann and her son Joshua and daughter Marina of Scranton, PA. He is also survived by his brother, Harry William Mann III (Marcia) of Millville, PA and Ellenton, Florida and their children. After high school in Lebanon, PA, Tom served in the Navy as lead alto saxophone player in the Com. 6th Fleet Admiral's band on duty in the Mediterranean, touring three continents, playing for Queen Elizabeth II of England and wedding celebrations for the marriage of Grace Kelly and Prince Rainier of Monaco. Tom was a graduate of Lebanon Valley College in Annville, PA., becoming the band director at the Lebanon Catholic High School in Lebanon, PA and Conestoga Valley High School in Lancaster, PA. He later became the band director of the Binghamton Central High School and then Binghamton High School in Binghamton, NY. Shortly before his retirement from the Binghamton City School District he became the band director at Thomas Jefferson Elementary, Calvin Coolidge Elementary and West Middle School in Binghamton. He later directed the band at Broome Community College and the Maine Community Band. Tom enjoyed watching serials, listening to talk radio, puttering in the lawn and taking pictures which he exhibited. The Mann family wishes to thank Dr. Steven Malkin, the oncology doctors at Lourdes as well as the doctors, nurses and staff of 3 Ross at Lourdes Hospital. The family also wishes to thank Tom's friends as well as Tom's adopted kids from all of his bands. A Mass of Christian burial will be held Monday, April 2, 2012 at 10:00 A.M. at St. Ambrose Church, 203 Washington Ave. in Endicott. The family will receive friends from 5 - 7 P.M. on Sunday, April 1, 2012 at the Coleman and Daniels Funeral Home, 300 East Main St., Endicott. Burial will be in Maine Cemetery.