Thomas J. Nowak Sr.

LUDLOW — Thomas J. Nowak Sr., 74, of Ludlow, died Saturday, December 15, 2012, at home, surrounded by his loving family, following a lengthy battle with Myelodysplastic Syndrome, a rare blood disorder.

Thomas was born in Ludlow on July 17, 1938, son of Mary R. Nowak, and was a graduate of Black River High School. He was a machinist at General Electric for 28 years, retiring in 1994. Following retirement, he worked at the Town of Ludlow Transfer Station where he was an environmentally aware recycler for several years. His interests were in recycling all things, especially scrap metal. An avid outdoorsman, he enjoyed his vegetable garden and tinkering in his garage. He loved his John Deere tractor and paraphernalia.

Survivors include his wife of 52 years, Anne M. (Thomas) Nowak; two sons, Thomas J. Nowak Jr. and his wife Cheryl of North Hampton, N.H., and Randy Nowak of Ludlow; a daughter, Darlene T. Kangas and her husband Timothy of Springfield, Vt.; a brother, Henry P. Nowak and his wife Phyllis of Mount Holly, Vt.; five grandchildren, one great-granddaughter; and several nieces and nephews.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2012, at 11 a.m. at the Church of the Annunciation, Depot Street in Ludlow. Burial will follow in Pleasant View Cemetery.

Visting hours at the Adams Funeral Home, 12 Meadow St., Ludlow, are Tuesday from 6 to 8 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to either the Ludlow Ambulance Service, PO Box 911, Ludlow, VT 05149; or to the Springfield Hospital Clinic, 25 Ridgewood Road, Springfield, VT 05156. Please also consider donating blood to the American Red Cross.

Adams Funeral Home is entrusted with the arrangements.