Obituary of Thomas J. Premaza

Obituary for THOMAS JAMES PREMAZA: Tom passed away on Wednesday morning, January 17, 2024 within two months of turning 90. He is survived by his Wife, Renee, his son, David, and his sister, Theresa. He is also survived by his nephews William Lawson, Thomas Lawson and Michael Lawson, as well as his niece, Patty Geissinger. He has three granddaughters and one great granddaughter. Tom joined the Navy when he was 18 and fought during the Korean Conflict. When he came home four years later, he was encouraged by his brother-in-law, Bill Lawson, to become a High Voltage Lineman to fix electric wires. Eventually Tom became a foreman. He moved to the Haddon View Apartments in Westmont, New Jersey, and met his future wife, Renee at a pool party. Tom was an avid reader of the Courier Post in those days. He read every page on a daily basis. One day, he was reading the ads and noticed there was a lamp store for sale in the Berlin Farmers Market. He told Renee "I always wanted to own a business, and that would be a great way to retire from linework!" They purchased the lamp store and within a year turned their store into a gift shop that also sold lampshades. They owned and operated that store for 27 years. One day, Tom came home with a horse trailer attached to his truck. When Renee came out to greet him, he said, "Look what I bought you." Out came a pony named Patches. Renee was shocked, and said "what are we going to do when she grows up to be a horse?" Well... ponies are small to begin with; they don't get very big. So, Tom built a little barn for her and that started a whole new way of life for both Tom and Renee. By the way, he did say, "I always wanted a pony." A few years later, Tom again was reading the ads in the Courier Post. He said to Renee, "A builder is offering to build a house on 37 acres of land for a really reasonable price. We could even make a farm out it. I always wanted to have a farm." To make a long(er) story short, Tom and Renee purchased that house and had a beautiful home. That property eventually became a horse farm with chickens and ducks, and a goose named "Honkey Tonk," and our dogs. Tom was a member of the Berlin Rotary Club and attended all of their meetings for over 20 years. All of Tom's lifetime dreams came true. He had a great life. He will be sorely missed. Mass of Christian burial will be held Wednesday, January 24, 2024 at 10:30am where family and friends may call at 9:30am. Interment Gate of Heaven Cemetery.