CATO - Thomas J. Begley, 73, of Cato, passed away peacefully on March 29, 2016.

Tom was born on Dec. 1, 1942 to James P. and Jeanette Begley. Raised in the New York City area, Tom attended St. Raymond's Grammar School, Regis High School, and St. Peter's Prep. He continued his Jesuit education at LeMoyne College, graduating in 1964 with an A.B. in French. Tom worked as a sales engineer for Goulds Pumps and Morris Pumps.

In 1972, Tom founded CATOH Inc., a geotechnical construction company. In 2001, CATOH was acquired by Hayward Baker. Tom began his next career as a farmer, developing Lake Breeze Farms near Cross Lake.

Tom also took great pride in his 50-plus year involvement in the volunteer fire service. He was a member of the Cato Fire Department for 48 years, and a Cayuga County deputy fire coordinator for 22 years. Tom was also a member of the County Fire Coordinators Association of the State of New York.

He is survived by his wife of 31 years, Mary Hurley Begley; his children, Brian (Kristine), Michael (Christine), Maureen (Bill) Wolpert, Eileen and Jim; his grandsons, Evan and Brady Begley, Tanner and Wyatt Wolpert, and Luke and Jake Begley. He is survived by his three sisters, Rosemary (Richard) Reiss, Margaret (Walter) Roettger, and Kathleen (Edward) Gill; former wife, Dianne Ackenback, and many in-laws, nieces, nephews, and long-time friends.