Obituary of Thomas E. Kalal

Morley- Thomas E. “Tom” Kalal, 82, of Morley-Potsdam Road, Morley died peacefully at his home while under the care of his loving family on Friday, November 12, 2021. Calling hours will be held Wednesday, November 17 from 4:00 to 7:00 PM at Lawrence Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 21 Park Street, Canton. His funeral will be Thursday, November 18 at 11:00 AM at the funeral home with Lay Pastor Skip Edie officiating. ADDITIONAL OFF-STREET PARKING AVAILABLE BEHIND "LUNA" AT 18 PARK STREET. Military Honors by Canton VFW #1231 & burial will follow in Hillcrest Cemetery, Heuvelton. Following the services, a time of food and fellowship will be held at Char’s Bar in Morley. Tom was born May 5, 1939 in Chicago, IL a son to Edward and Inez Kalal. Upon his graduation in 1957 from Woodstown High School, NJ, he enlisted in the US Army and did a tour in Vietnam. Tom retired in 2001 from the US Army as a Sergeant, Ft. Drum, NY where he was a supply technician from 1988-2001. Previously he was Manager of Super Duper, Canton from 1983-88. In 1988 he married “the love of his life”, Elaine Dorothy Mathews Ormsbee in Canton, New York. The couple spent 33 wonderful years together. He is survived by his children- Don Kalal of Germany, Donna (Rainer) Wagner of Germany and Evalyn (John) Frey of Oklahoma; step-daughters, Cheryl (John) McLear of Ogdensburg and Christine Ormsbee of Sommerville, SC; grandchildren, Julian & Lisa Kalal, Thomas (Sybille) Wagner, Sabrina (Philipp) Koller and John (Hannah) Frey, Joshua Hunter, Tyler (Mary) Knight, Mackenzie (Zach) Schreiner and James Saber; great-grandchildren, Pin Koller, Momo, Luna, Sanny and Eli Wagner, Elijah, Alexander, Jack, Elisabeth and Harry Frey, Sawyer and Jessie Knight and Lucas Schreiner. He was predeceased by his wife, Elaine Ormsbee Kalal (2018) a step-daughter, Debbie Ormsbee (2017) and grandson, Jeffrey Hyde (2019). Tom received many letters of appreciation and commendation while in the Army. He was awarded with the Army Meritorious Service Medal and Army Commendation Medal, as well as, ten good conduct medals and minor service medals; he was awarded Employee of the Quarter at Fort Drum and received many awards and bonuses for his excellent work ethic. Tom had a number of interests including: Yankees baseball; Syracuse basketball; College basketball; he played shuffle board with his wife on Char’s Team; he was a square dance caller back in the day; Tom & Elaine never missed a sporting event of their grandson’s baseball and soft-ball games or son-in-law’s softball games; they were the best fans ever for Char’s Softball. Tom will be remembered for making his backyard into a ballfield for his grandons, as well as, Mom & Tom’s Kitchen, because they cooked for all the neighborhood kids. A special Thank You to Dawn Sharlow and Nancy Fletcher for your care and support. Memorial Contributions may be made to Lisbon Fire Department. Condolences may be shared by visiting www.lawrencefuneralhome.org