Thomas "Tom" Neff

Peterborough, NH Tom (Thomas John) Neff, passed away December 7, 2015. Born on September 29, 1939 in Crotonville, NY, he was the only child of Thomas Joseph and Gertrude Emily (Thomas) Neff. A graduate of Ossining High School, Tom worked as an auto mechanic and USPS letter carrier before proudly serving with the United States Army. Made possibly by the then reenacted GI Bill, Tom entered Paul Smith's College, and later the University of New Hampshire where he earned an M.S. in forestry. Tom was an honor student and a member of Xi Sigma Phi, the national forestry honor society. He began his 25 year long forestry career as a county forester in New Hampshire, later establishing his own forest resources consulting firm, while contributing as a lecturer at UNH. Tom's second career was as an auto racing writer, his written contributions being enhanced by the experience he gained while spending many years as a modified race car fabricator and owner. Regarding his "24/7" days devoted to his consulting practice Tom said, "Monday through Friday forestry is my profession, on Saturday my hobby, and on Sunday, my religion." Many years later after permanently protecting a significant parcel of Peterborough, NH forest land, he added, "And now, my legacy." Following retirement, Tom who was an intrepid three-mile-a-day walker, enjoyed working on his woodlots, improving them while harvesting wood for heating his home. In his last years he worked at teaching himself to play clarinet, driven by his long appreciation of circa 1930 American jazz, inspired artist such as Bix Biederbeck, Jack Teagarden, and the bands of Ben Pollack and Frankie Trumbauer. He also pursued his passion for writing, history and research, preparing historical manuscripts of towns where he had lived; his native Crotonville, as well as two New Hampshire towns, Nottingham and Peterborough. Tom is survived by his wife of 52 years, Patricia Margaret (O'Connell) Neff. Wishing to simply, "Fade away like an old soldier," services will be private for family.

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