Thomas Gene Mitchell, Sr., 71, of Hyatt Hill Road, Town of Wayne, Dundee, NY passed away at home on Tuesday, December 1, 2015.

I want to thank you for your business through the years (1978). It tickles me pink when our winemakers who did business with us in the 80's, 90's and
other years past, stop by and buy a tank or two and indicate our help
and influence in their becoming wineries or commercial winemakers.
The list is long.

It pleased Tom and me to no end that our amateur winemakers could out
perform the commercial wineries back in the day with a better wine,
home made. It resulted in the commercial big boys standing up and
paying attention to producing a better quality wine, to compete with the
amateur and small farm wineries.

The wine industry in the Finger Lakes Wine Region in central NYS has
changed a lot in the last 40 years. You have all helped put the
Finger Lakes Wine Region on the map! Thank you all.
May your wines Fall Bright! Marcy

Tom was born on April 23, 1944, in Kearney, Nebraska to the Air Force family of Merle and Mary (Hermann) Mitchell.  He attended University of Wisconsin, Madison Campus and was a proud member of the 1966 National Championship Wisconsin Crew team.  He graduated in 1967 with a BS in zoology and a strong background in science and agriculture.

Tom began his work career as biologist at the Montezuma Wildlife Refuge, Montezuma, NY and assistant wildlife refuge manager at Great Swamp National Wildlife, Basking Ridge, NJ. He relocated to the east side of Keuka Lake as a hands on vineyard-manager in 1972 and became self-employed in 1977 running Pa’tridge Run Farms.  In 1978 he started Fall Bright, The Winemakers Shoppe, where he and his wife Marcy, sold grape juice and supplies to amateur winemakers.  He was vineyard and grower relations manager for Taylor Wine Company, Hammondsport, NY from 1982-1994 and a lifelong member of the Cornell Cooperative Extension.  He was an excellent amateur wine maker, photographer and an avid outdoorsman who loved his Gordon Setters.

He is survived by his wife, Marcelle, son Thomas (Diane) Mitchell Jr., daughters Megan (Brian) Rossignol and Corlin (Daniel) Merritt, 8 grandchildren Adam, David, Brian, Remington, Wyatt, Austin, Autumn and Colt, 2 sisters Corrine (Bill) Elliot, Gloria Mitchell (Wayne Brody), and 2 brothers Jack (Connie) Mitchell and Jonathan Mitchell and many nephews and nieces.   He is predeceased by his parents and 2 sisters, Mary Lou and Terese.

Calling hours will be held Friday from 4-7 at the Lamarche Funeral Home, 30 Main St, Hammondsport, NY 14840.  Services will be held Saturday, December 5 at 1:00 at St. Gabriel’s 78 Shethar St. Hammondsport.  A reception will be immediately following the service at the Hammondsport Fire Hall. Please bring a bottle of wine and a memory to share as we toast Tom.

Memorial donations may be made to Wayne Fire Department, Wayne, NY 14893, the Cornell Cooperative Extension, 417 Liberty Street, Penn Yan, NY 14527 or an organization of your choice.