Obituary
Thomas J. Wagner, 87, a long time Daytona winter resident from Buffalo, NY, died March 17, 2018. An outgoing and congenial man, Wagner’s sense of humor and friendliness peppered his entire life. He lived for many years in Colonial Colony South where he enjoyed a raft of friends and activities- entertaining at karaoke, metal detecting on the beaches, swimming, enjoying jovial games of bocce, playing cards and spinning stories.
At age 17, with his mother’s permission, Wagner joined the US Marine Corps and survived one of the bloodiest battles in US history at the Chosin Reservoir in Korea 1950. His life’s work in Buffalo was as a crane operator working out of Buffalo’s International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE). He was often tapped by International Chimney, Inc. to construct or repair huge industrial chimneys and historic lighthouses. He worked on Hatteras, and here in Florida he made repairs to the Ponce Inlet lighthouse.
Wagner is survived by his beloved partner of 13 years, Dea McKenna McAuliffe of Buffalo. Those mourning his loss include his dear sister Eleanor Cipollone, his loving children Daniel (late Alice) Michelle Montour), Valerie (Wayne) Bolduc, April (John) Ring, Matthew (Nicole), Robert (Robin), William Martin (Carol), Nancy (Charles) Geiser. These eleven cherished grandchildren miss him dearly: Bridgett, Philip, Carolyn, Brittany, Autumn, Lea, Harmony, Matthew, Kaelyn, Chas and Sara. He is also survived by 8 great grandchildren. Baldwin Brothers Funeral Home Port Orange is in charge.
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