Obituaries

Thomas Nelson Harnish, 84

June 13, 2014

Thomas Nelson Harnish, “Tom”, 84, of Lititz, peacefully entered into Heaven on June 13, 2014. He was born March 10, 1930 in Lancaster, Pa, as the baby brother of 15 siblings.

He is survived by two sisters Irene Schmuckle and Josie Kuhn, and his brother Ned Harnish. At the age of 14, following the death of his parents, Tom attended the Masonic Patton School for Boys in Elizabethtown, Pa, where he found his gift for carpentry. He was the husband of Doris “Neudorff” Harnish for 62 years, and the father of Jeffrey M. Harnish (Karen Harnish) of Lititz and Kim Gallagher of West Chester, Pa. Tom was loving grandfather of Jared Harnish of Elizabethtown, Eric Norrbom of Princeton NJ, and Kala Denlinger of Mt Joy. Tom was the proud great grandfather of Sybl, Robbie, Carter, Olivia, Amy, and Jase.

Tom Retired from Warfel Construction Company after 38 years as a project manager. Tom enjoyed hosting parties for his friends and family, hunting, fishing, quoits, golf, and telling stories. Later in life he enjoyed tormenting the residents and staff of Luther Acres Nursing Home, where he became the 2013 apple pie baking contest champion. Tom was a Master Mason of the blue lodge 476, and had recently received his 50 year pin. Tom proudly served his country during the Korean War with the US Navy.

Tom’s family expresses their sincere appreciation for the loving care given by the staff of Luther Acres, as well as the additional support offered by Gentiva Hospice in his final days.

Services will be held Friday, June 20, 2014, in the Chapel at Luther Acres Towne Center, 600 E. Main St., Lititz, PA 17543. Tom’s family will receive friends from 12 to 12:30 PM, followed by Masonic services accorded by Lamberton Lodge #476 F.&A.M. and the funeral with Rev. David Kreider and Chaplain Walt Cleckley officiating beginning at 12:30 PM. Entombment with Military Honors will be in Conestoga Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Children’s Dyslexia Center of Lancaster, 213 West Chestnut St., Lancaster, PA 17603-3519.

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Condolences to the Family

June 18, 2014

I’m very sorry for your loss.  I enjoyed getting to know Tom very much. He was someone who had such a big personality you had to give him your attention. Sometimes he just demanded it:) but that was Tom .  I truly am grateful for the chance to care for his needs and to help make his stay at luthercare the best possible. My thoughts and prayers go out to Doris and the family. 
Michelle Clayton Lpn 3-11

June 17, 2014

Our very deepest & most sincere sympathies to Doris & family upon the loss of the wise and wonderful, fun and amusing, entertaining and jovial, Tom Harnish. He was a great friend and co-worker of Dave’s throughout many years of their employment together at Warfel Construction and we BOTH very much enjoyed our visits to your home and delighted in the countless stories Tom told. Such fun and such great memories! We’ll treasure them and think fondly of our friend, Tom, always. May you take comfort in knowing he’ll forever be in the hearts of so many of those of us whose lives he touched. We’re better for having known him. 
Love & God Bless,
Pam & Dave Schwebel 

June 17, 2014

Doris, Jeff, Kim & Family:  
We were so very sorry to hear of Tom’s passing.  He always was a lot of fun, loved to laugh & joke with everyone.  We have very fond memories of some great times with him & your family.  Tom will be greatly missed.  
Our thoughts and prayers are with you & your family.  
The Glik Family (Betty, Patti, Deb & Jere)
 

June 17, 2014

Dear Doris and Family,
I was so sorry to read of Tom’s passing. He was a mentor to me in my earliest years in the construction industry and may have been frustrated by my inexperience, but he never showed it and always had good advice for me. He was a significant contributor to the success of Warfel Construction Company over the years, and was a bridge between the multiple generations of my family that worked for Warfel having worked with my grandfather, father, me and my son. I have thought of him often, and I will miss him.
During this difficult time, you and your family will be in my prayers.
Tim Peters
 

June 17, 2014

Aunt Doris, Kim and Jeff,  So sorry for your loss.  I will always remember Uncle Tom for his smile and sense of humor.  I always loved coming to your house to visit when we were young.  He will be missed and I’m glad I got to see him in January.  Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you.  Jill, Glenn and Lexie

Visitation
Friday, June 20, 2014
12:00 PM - 12:30 PM
Chapel at Luther Acres Towne Center
600 E. Main St.
Lititz, PA 17543
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Services
Friday, June 20, 2014
12:30 PM
Chapel at Luther Acres Towne Center
600 E. Main St.
Lititz, PA 17543
Map and Directions

Get Maps and Directions >
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