Obituaries
Thomas J. Ennis, Sr., 74
January 31, 2021
Thomas J. Ennis, Sr., 74, of Glenmoore, went into the arms of his Lord and Savior on January 31, 2021 at Brandywine Hospital. Born in Buffalo, NY he was the son of the late James H. and Emily F. Ennis. He was also the dedicated and loving husband of Sherry (Birkenbine) Ennis for more than 46 years.
He was a graduate of Upper Darby High School. After graduation, he served as a corpsman in the US Navy on the USS Independence. He went on to attend Keystone Junior College where he and Sherry’s love story would begin. He would transfer to West Chester University where he would graduate with degrees in Chemistry and Business Administration. As a young adult, he was also a volunteer firefighter with the Highland Park Fire Company in Upper Darby, P.A.
He dedicated more than 30 years working for Rohm and Haas as a Research Chemist. During his tenure he was proud of his accomplishments including holding multiple patents for his various inventions. In 2002, he would retire and focus on his true passion, ROCKS.
Tom developed a love of rocks from his father from early childhood. He became a 2nd generation rock shop owner and dealer, where he would source and distribute rocks and minerals throughout the country. His rock shop, TJ’s Rocks and Gemcrafts, in Downingtown was where Tom was most often found. He enjoyed teaching children about rocks and watching their faces light up as he would crack open a geode. Tom was quite proud that he had one of the most extensive geode collections in the world. This was a passion he would pass along to his own sons who are now carrying on the rock business into the third generation. “Old rock dealers don’t die, they just petrify.”
In his free time, he was also an avid fisherman. If he was not with his rocks he was on the water. He enjoyed all types of fishing, especially when his family was with him. He loved being with his family and cooking the very best ribs at every given opportunity. He also loved and cherished animals, including the family dogs. Tom always considered Buffalo, NY his home and insisted he had the best times there. He enjoyed taking his family on vacation in the Thousand Islands, NY.
His love will live on in his wife Sherry; sons: David Ennis (Bridget) of Michigan, Michael Ennis (Laura) of Elverson, PA, and Thomas “TJ” Ennis Jr. (Amanda) of Jacksonville, FL: grandchildren: Brooke, Troy, Micah, Alicia and Shawn; siblings: Mary Judith “Judy” Swiderski of Buffalo and James H. Ennis, Jr. of Absecon, NJ, and loving extended family. He was preceded in passing by his parents.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:30AM on Monday, February 8, 2021 at St. Peter Catholic Church, 2835 Manor Rd. West Coatesville, PA. Friends and family are invited to attend a viewing from 10:30AM until 11:15AM. For those unable to attend the service, it will be live streamed to his online obituary at www.SnyderFuneralHome.com. Interment to follow at Brickerville United Lutheran Church Cemetery. Memorial contributions in Tom’s name may be made to a charity of your choosing.
Leave a condolence on this Memorial Page
Condolences to the Family
February 13, 2021
I was deeply saddened to hear of Tom’s passing. I first met Tom and Sherry at a rock show in upper Marlboro Maryland and really enjoyed talking with him and learning about minerals. I made several trips to Downingtown to visit his rock shop and purchased many of my favorite minerals from him. My sincere condolences go out to his family. Rest in peace my rock buddy!!!
Ken Reynolds, Arlington Virginia
February 09, 2021
To the family,
Tom will be sorely missed by the rock hounding community. I especially loved steering folks to his booth to get a geode cracked open. He was a knowlegable and nice man who will be missed.
Nancy Stephanos,
Philadelphia Mineralogical Society
February 08, 2021
Dearest Sherri and living family,we will miss our beloved friend.Our great joy is that because of HIM,we’ll meet again.Love to you all..
Joe and Tess Hegedus
February 08, 2021
Rest in Peace, Uncle Tom. You will be missed. Love, Paula, Anthony & Cathy Waldner.
February 08, 2021
Sherry I am so sorry about your losing Tom. He was a good guy who was loved by his sons and others. May he be at peace in his heavenly home.
Carol stewart
February 07, 2021
So shocked to hear that my great. Friend😂we lost you
may God him peace and rest
amen!!
Syed Shah/ Hunza Gems&minerals
February 07, 2021
Tom was always welcoming and funny! He loved telling me about the rocks I gravitated towards, such a wealth of information! I always liked hearing about his trips abroad to search out specimens…. I will miss his kind voice and funny stories. Sherry and family, I am sorry for the loss of such a great man. I do know that he’s already seated on the side of a lake taking it all in and enjoying it all. He is with your always ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ Fin Fox, a Big fan of this larger than life sweet man! Xoxoxox
Fionnuala Fox
February 07, 2021
Our condolences to Sherry & family. Tom was always cheerful when he came to reunions! He will be missed.
Joyce ( Myer) & Dave Gerstenlauer
February 07, 2021
Dear Sherry and family, We are deeply saddened about Tom. Blessings, Norma and Bill Batchelder
February 07, 2021
Tom was such a great guy and the best boss I’ve ever worked for. He had a great sense of humor and a world of knowledge to share. Words cannot express how much he will be missed and I am blessed to have known such a great man and his family.
My deepest condolences,
Andrea
February 06, 2021
I knew Tom for 50 years. He was a gentleman and good friend who loved Sherri and his 3 boys. He was a groomsman in our wedding and godfather to our son. Tom and Sherri were good friends and we spent many weekend evenings together playing games, drinking beer and laughing. Sometimes the 4 of us did weekend trips to Sherri’s Mom and Dad’s house.
Another one of Tom’s loves was breeding freshwater Angelfish for aquarium shops in the basement of our apartment. This included pairing the fish, eggs laid on slates, supervised fertilization and raising fish to sell. He had many interests but his true passion were rocks and gems.
Many fond memories of a good friend! He will be missed!
Linda Sipple
February 06, 2021
We are so sorry to lose our friend and pinochle buddy, Turk. Sherry, you and the boys are in our prayers as well as Tom. He was truly one of the good guys ❤️🙏.
Sue and Fred Scholl
February 06, 2021
We are deeply saddened by Tom’s passing and know that this is a huge loss to his family. It is a loss for us also as we cherished his humor, knowledge and support. Our prayers continue for him and Sherry. Teresa and Marvin Schwab
- Visitation
- Monday, February 08, 2021
- 10:30 AM - 11:15 AM
- St. Peter Catholic Church
- 2835 Manor Rd.
- West Coatesville, PA 19320
- Map and Directions
-
Get Maps and Directions > - Services
- Monday, February 08, 2021
- 11:30 AM
- St. Peter Catholic Church
- 2835 Manor Rd.
- West Coatesville, PA 19320
- Map and Directions
-
Get Maps and Directions >
