Obituary of Thomas Potter

Thomas Potter,aged 69, passed away peacefully at his home on April 12, 2015. Tom was born on December 31, 1945 at Fox Hospital in Oneonta to Harry VanDyke Potter and Rose Marie Leonard. Tom was a lifelong resident of Davenport Center. Tom graduated from Charlotte Valley Central School in 1964, where he was Student Council President and received the Outstanding Senior Award. After graduation,Tom earned an associate's degree from Delhi Tech in 1966 and a bachelor's degree from SUNY Albany in 1969. After completing college, Tom was employed by the Dept. of Audit and Control, Division of Municipal Affairs. Later Tom was employed by Gruver and Scott CPA firm. Tom was always indebted to Lou Rogers and Steve Gruver for their exceptional training in accounting. Tom obtained his CPA certification in 1976 and began his own CPA practice in 1978 which he owned until his retirement in 2009. Tom was also a lecturer in accounting at SUNY Oneonta from 1978 until 2007. Tom's favorite pastimes were spending time with friends, particularly at sporting events and concerts featuring music from the 60's. He was an avid fan of the Bruins, Celtics, Giants and Yankees, as well as Syracuse, Colgate and Albany Universities and attended games as often as he could. In the community, Tom was actively involved in Kiwanis Club of Oneonta, where he served as treasurer for seven years. He also served on the board of The ARC Otsego during their early years and was a member of NYS Society of CPA's. Tom was predeceased by his father, Harry Potter, mother Rose Marie Ham, stepfather Gurney Ham, brother Stephen Ham and close friends Betty Lou Polley, Fran and Louise Woods, Keith Rider, Jerry Losie, Bobby Barnes, and Tom's amazing Office Manager Debbie Acquanni. They were always remembered by Tom with fond memories. Tom is survived by his sister Anne Potter, nephews David Coury and his wife Kimberly, Benjamin Coury and his wife Jennnifer, and Arthur Ham, nieces Rhiannon Ham, Traci Whitehill and her children, and Marcella Ham, cousins Gurney Steele, Larry and Donna Sawyer, Peggy and Ed Stickles, Jim and Margo Potter, and close friends Thomas and Anita Sears, Thomas Hickey, Kenneth "Zippy" Dautrich, Jeannie Rider, Sherri O'Hara, David Grant, Gerald and Phyllis Butts, Bill Royce, Gene Bettiol, Jean Oakley, Mark Stanley, David Wright, Jim Hare, Ken Rudy, Bill Symanski, David Burger, Frank Maestri and Fred Whittet. Without their love and support Tom's life would have been a very different story. Tom was also grateful to Theo Hight from At Home Care and"The Guys at A&D Taxi." They were so much more than "hired help". They were his lifeline and were always there for him. Special thanks to all of them for going above and beyond. Services to honor Tom will be held at the United Methodist Church in Davenport. Calling hours will be 6 to 8pm on Friday at the church. A celebration of life funeral service will be held at 11:00 am Saturday with Pastor Jan Lacey-Markel officiating. A private committal service will follow at the Charlotte Valley Cemetery in West Davenport. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Tom's honor to benefit youth in the Oneonta community. Checks should be made payable and mailed to Kiwanis Club of Oneonta, PO Box 491, Oneonta, NY 13820. Those who wish to share condolences or a special memory, may do so online at www.macarthurfh.com. Arrangements are with the MacArthur Funeral Home of Delhi.