Raymond R. (Tom) Edmister, 96, of Conklin, passed away peacefully Sunday, February 9, 2025. He was predeceased by his wife Mary Ann (Starck) in 2012. He is survived by; his children, Evelyn (Paul) Deeley, Ron (Denise) Edmister, Carl Edmister, and Thomas Edmister, 5 grandchildren, and many members of the Edmister family in the Elmira/Horseheads area.
Tom spent many years in the dairy business working in all aspects of the trade, culminating with a long career at Dairylea. He impacted many people’s lives with his volunteer work through Boy Scouts of America, Kiwanis, Church, and a multitude of other community organizations. He continued his service at Meals on Wheels well into his retirement years. One of Tom’s greatest beliefs was in giving help to those in need, supported by his favorite saying, “If you give a man a fish, you feed him for a day. If you teach a man to fish, you feed him for life”. In addition to volunteer work, he served many years on the Conklin Town Board. Tom also served honorably in the US Army during WWII. He could build a house, drive a horse, run a committee, or manage a company. His talents were far reaching and his contributions to the Conklin community will be sorely missed but reflected upon warmly.
Tom never lost track of his roots in the Big Flats/Elmira region. He was active in the Big Flats Historical Society and attended an annual reunion of people from the one-room Schoolhouse he attended in his early years. During his last years, he returned in his mind to those early years on Catlin Hill with many stories of farm life, his grandfather’s church, and learning the dairy business.
A Memorial service will be held at 1 pm Saturday March 15, 2025 at SAVAGE-DeMarco Funeral Service 338-344Conklin Ave, Binghamton, NY 13903 with Pastor Jeff Schrecengost of Northbridge Church in Conklin officiating. The family will welcome friends for the service at 1pm and then to remain after to share their memories of Tom and light refreshments. Please express condolences at www.SavageFS.com. Full obituary also at http://www.TiersNews.com. Burial will be private with his wife in Conklin Cemetery at the convenience of the family.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Big Flats Historical Society, PO Box 232, Big Flats, NY 14814, or, to Northbridge Church where he worshipped in his final years. Northbridge Church has a central address of 2101 Owego Rd, Vestal, NY 13850.
