Lars Olof Thomas "Tom" Gustafsson died peacefully in University Hospital on Monday, March 17th in Syracuse, NY at the age of 74 with loved ones by his side.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Ake Gustafsson and Majken Soderstrom, Brothers Lennart of Spain, Bo Yngve and Leif of Sweden and Gena Marie Cefalo of Syracuse, NY.
Tom was born March 1st, 1951, In Alvsered, Sweden. He finished school in Sweden where he pursued a Degree in Engineering. He went on to marry Joan Cefalo from Syracuse, NY on December 13th,1981. They got married in a small church in Davis, Illinois called "The Church by the side of the Road". They moved to Lake Summerset in Illinois where Tom was working for Centro Morgardshammar and Centro-Metalcut - Swedish Companys as a Mechanical, Hydraulik and Electrical Engineer. Their family's children, Renee, Michele and Gena remember Tom for the warmth and kindness he brought to those around him. Tom was accomplished at his skills in tennis and soccer where he coached young boys in Rockford, Illinois. In his later years Tom built a cabin up north of Syracuse where he spent the weekends relaxing in front of the bonfire. Tom also loved to watch tennis matches in Miami and Indiana along with car races in Indianapolis, Brooklyn Michigan, Miami and Florida. Tom loved to travel and went to Sweden and Spain to visit his many relatives and saw the Orrefors and Kosta Boda Swedish glassworks and played golf with his brothers Lennart and Leif.
He is survived by his wife of 44 years Joan, his sister Britt of Sweden, nieces Annette Guenther of Naperville, IL and Lise-Lotte Schollin of Sweden, Renee' Sager and Michele Connor of Syracuse and many nieces and grandchildren. I must not forget Tom's faithful dog, Aiya, who he loved so much.
The family would Like to thank the University Hospital staff for their extraordinary efforts caring for Tom in his final days.
A mass will be offered in his honor Sunday May 4th at 8am St Matthew's Church
229 West Yates Street, East Syracuse NY 13057.
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