Obituary for Thomas R. Busse, Sr.
Thomas R. Busse, Sr., a lifelong resident of Middletown and retired butcher, passed away at Garnet
Medical Center on May 28, 2022 with his family by his side.
He was born on December 19, 1941 in NYC to Theodore and Rita Edwards Busse.
Tommy graduated from Middletown High School Class of 1959. After graduation, he went to work at
Lloyd’s Shopping Center in Middletown. In 1961, during the Vietnam War, he proudly joined the US Air
Force and became a radio operator serving in southeast Asia until 1964. After serving his country, he
returned home and went on to work as a butcher at Lloyd’s for the next 30 years.
He married his wife, Lynn Keasel in 1966. This past February they celebrated 56 years of marriage.
Together they raised their two children and were blessed with 5 granddaughters and 2 great-grandsons
and he was affectionately known as Papa.
Tommy was a soft-spoken man with a great sense of humor, a big heart and an even bigger sweet tooth.
He was an avid hunter for many years. Tommy could often be found watching sports and was a diehard
Yankees, Giants and Rangers fan. He also enjoyed attending his children’s and grandchildren’s music and
sporting events. Tommy was a wordsmith, tackling daily crossword puzzles and other word games and
almost never missed Jeopardy or Wheel of Fortune.
He was a 50-year member of the Waalkill Engine Co. #6, a volunteer with the Middletown Marching
Middies and the Middletown Little League for many years.
Tommy is survived by his wife Lynn, at home, his daughter, Katherine Busse Bickerdyke and her husband
Cris of Middletown, NY, his son, Thomas R Busse, Jr. (Bob) and his wife Laura of Middletown, NY; five
grandchildren; Carolyn Milner and her fiancé Bridget Hurlman of East Greenwich, RI, Elizabeth Ashley
and her husband Matthew of Walker Valley, NY, Hannah Milner of Richmond, VA, Sarah Busse of
Arlington, VA and Erin Bickerdyke of Middletown, NY; great-grandsons Levi Thomas and Theodore
Grayson Ashely. He is also survived by his brother James Busse and his wife Pat as well as many nieces
and nephews.
In addition to his parents, Tommy was predeceased by his sister, Andrea Farkus, his brother Don Busse
and his best friend, Andy Farkus.
A graveside service will take place Friday, June 3, 2022 at 11:00 am at Scotchtown Cemetery 328 Blumel
Rd Middletown, NY 10941.
Those who wish to remember Tommy in a special way are encouraged to make gifts in his memory to St.
Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital (www.stjude.org) or Parkinson’s Foundations (www.parkinson.org)
or Tunnel2Towers Foundation (www.t2t.org).
Arrangements are under the direction of Applebee-McPhillips Funeral Home, 130 Highland Avenue,
Middletown, NY 10940.
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Medical Center on May 28, 2022 with his family by his side.
He was born on December 19, 1941 in NYC to Theodore and Rita Edwards Busse.
Tommy graduated from Middletown High School Class of 1959. After graduation, he went to work at
Lloyd’s Shopping Center in Middletown. In 1961, during the Vietnam War, he proudly joined the US Air
Force and became a radio operator serving in southeast Asia until 1964. After serving his country, he
returned home and went on to work as a butcher at Lloyd’s for the next 30 years.
He married his wife, Lynn Keasel in 1966. This past February they celebrated 56 years of marriage.
Together they raised their two children and were blessed with 5 granddaughters and 2 great-grandsons
and he was affectionately known as Papa.
Tommy was a soft-spoken man with a great sense of humor, a big heart and an even bigger sweet tooth.
He was an avid hunter for many years. Tommy could often be found watching sports and was a diehard
Yankees, Giants and Rangers fan. He also enjoyed attending his children’s and grandchildren’s music and
sporting events. Tommy was a wordsmith, tackling daily crossword puzzles and other word games and
almost never missed Jeopardy or Wheel of Fortune.
He was a 50-year member of the Waalkill Engine Co. #6, a volunteer with the Middletown Marching
Middies and the Middletown Little League for many years.
Tommy is survived by his wife Lynn, at home, his daughter, Katherine Busse Bickerdyke and her husband
Cris of Middletown, NY, his son, Thomas R Busse, Jr. (Bob) and his wife Laura of Middletown, NY; five
grandchildren; Carolyn Milner and her fiancé Bridget Hurlman of East Greenwich, RI, Elizabeth Ashley
and her husband Matthew of Walker Valley, NY, Hannah Milner of Richmond, VA, Sarah Busse of
Arlington, VA and Erin Bickerdyke of Middletown, NY; great-grandsons Levi Thomas and Theodore
Grayson Ashely. He is also survived by his brother James Busse and his wife Pat as well as many nieces
and nephews.
In addition to his parents, Tommy was predeceased by his sister, Andrea Farkus, his brother Don Busse
and his best friend, Andy Farkus.
A graveside service will take place Friday, June 3, 2022 at 11:00 am at Scotchtown Cemetery 328 Blumel
Rd Middletown, NY 10941.
Those who wish to remember Tommy in a special way are encouraged to make gifts in his memory to St.
Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital (www.stjude.org) or Parkinson’s Foundations (www.parkinson.org)
or Tunnel2Towers Foundation (www.t2t.org).
Arrangements are under the direction of Applebee-McPhillips Funeral Home, 130 Highland Avenue,
Middletown, NY 10940.
To plant a tree in memory of Thomas R. Busse, Sr., visit the Tribute Store.
Previous Events
Graveside
Friday
3
Jun
11:00 AM
Scotchtown Cemetery
Blumel Road
MIddletown, NY 10940
Cemetery Details
Location
Scotchtown Cemetery
Blumel Road
MIddletown, NY 10940
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