EAST BERNE — Thomas I. Chase — described by his family as “a true country boy who never wished to stray far from his home in the Helderberg Mountains” — died peacefully at his East Berne home on Wednesday, June 21, 2017, after a long illness. He was 56.

“He took joy in observing nature and had a special knack for spotting things others would not notice,” his family in a tribute. “He loved watching the wildlife that visited the fields and skies surrounding his home.

“Tom will be remembered always for his soft heart, his loyal friendship, and his talent for being able to fix pretty much anything. His family is so grateful for the love he shared with them during his short life.”

He is survived by his mother, Airetta Chase; his sisters, Patricia Chase, and Elaine Chase and her husband, Joel Winne; and his brother, Timothy Chase.

He is also survived by his nieces, Gabrielle Shultes and her husband, Ronald, and Shanna Becker and her husband, Jay; his nephew, Zak Chase; and his grandnieces and nephews Nicole Carrol and her husband, Scott, and their daughter Ella Ray Carrol, Brittney Shultes, Aurora Cookhouse and her husband, Alex, Benjamin Becker, and Lucas Becker.

His father, Edward M. Chase Jr., died before him, as did his elder brother, Edward M. Chase III.  

Relatives and friends are invited and may call at the Fredendall Funeral Home at 199 Main St., in Altamont on Friday, June 30, from 5 to 7 p.m.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Helderberg Ambulance Squad, 978 Cole Hill Road, East Berne, NY 12059.