Obituary for Irwin "Tom" Renak
It is with profound sadness we announce the passing of our dear and gentle father, Irwin “Tom” Renak, who died on May 6, 2023 from complications of Covid-19 at Berkshire Medical Center, at the age of 92.
Tom was born on October 1, 1930, to Edith (Miller) and Frank Renak in Yonkers, NY. He arrived three years after the birth of his older brother Frank, who left us in 2006.
Tom was educated in New York public schools, and in 1948, went to work at the General Electric company in Schenectady, NY, and enrolled in the Technical Course for Laboratory Assistants, TCLA. In 1951, Tom was drafted into the United States Army, first heading to Fort Devans, MA, then Camp Gordon, Georgia, now Fort Gordon, where he was trained as a cryptographer. He was assigned to Fort Baker, CA where he was promoted through the ranks to Sergeant in April, 1953. He was proud to have served his country in this way, despite losing hearing in his right ear after a colleague’s “early shot” from his gun on the first day of boot camp. Tom graduated from Union College with a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering in 1958. Sadly, he will miss the Old Guard Dinner, part of his school’s 65th reunion, being held later this month.
Dad was proud of his days at Union, being involved with organizing and participating in many reunions throughout the years…parades and costumes included. Our father went back to work for the General Electric Company in 1958 in Pittsfield, for the GE Missile and Ordnance Systems
Department. In 1966 Tom was named Manager of the Weapon Control Systems Engineering Unit. Highlights of this period included meeting Fleet Ballistic Missile submarines at ports in Spain, Scotland, and Guam. In 1984, he led negotiations for the largest single contract in Ordnance Systems history, over 500 million dollars.
Tom was a member of the GE Elfun Society, the Berkshire Council of the Navy League, President of the Board of the Pittsfield Community Music School (now Berkshire Music School), board member of Pittsfield Central City Development Corp., member of Pittsfield Zoning Board of Appeals, chairman of the Commercial Area Revitalization District, board member of the Berkshire Public Theatre, the United Way, and a member of the Pittsfield Police Department
Study Commission.
Upon retirement, Tom began his “second career” with Habitat for Humanity, work of which he was enormously proud. How lucky was the new homeowner who would live in a home with kitchen cabinets built by Dad. Our father had deep regard, respect, and admiration for President Jimmy Carter, a deeply committed supporter of Habitat.
Our father was a sailor. For many years, he and a group of friends would sail up and down the northeast coast for a couple of summer weeks, usually a 30 foot sloop. Dad was typically the captain and these fellows had wonderful adventures. They enjoyed their cocktails and visits to dry land, even meeting up with us in Maine one summer, where we stayed at the Neuwagon Inn in Boothbay Harbor. (I won six dollars there, at the age of six, in a hot game of Bingo). Dad drew
maps and charts for these trips, packed with superior precision, and on they would sail.
Precision and care in creating were his trademarks. Our dad was a skilled carpenter. From the step stool with our names beautifully painted on it, for Valerie and me to reach the sink for brushing our teeth; to our toy boxes, now sweater storage, still sturdy and intact after all these years; to the home on Highland Ave. he renovated for his family; to the iceboat he built for sailing on Pontoosuc Lake; to his amazing work benches, with a cubby for every sized screw and nut one might imagine; to the flower boxes built in 1974 and still used today at Zion Lutheran Church; to the gracious dream home he built for his retirement with his wife Mary…his skills were astonishing and of the very highest quality.
Tom was erudite, a man who appreciated life’s gifts…music, particularly violin concerti and choral works (but not harpsichord!) and in particular, the musical The Pajama Game. He enjoyed the poetry of Robert Frost and Carl Sandburg and prior to the last few years, was a voracious reader. He would launch into verse spontaneously, reciting some verse or another relating to the topic at hand. “Seated one day at the organ, I was weary and ill at ease…”
His dry wit was always enjoyed by us. He loved a delicious meal, and especially, dessert. He often said I could open my own restaurant, if the music thing didn’t work out. It fills me with joy that he enjoyed my meals that much.
Though our dad was New York born, he considered himself a New Englander through and through, except when it came to his abiding devotion to the New York Yankees and the New York Giants. He and son-in-law Mark enjoyed watching golf together on Sunday afternoons.
Our father was a precise man. Everything he did was well-thought out, carefully planned. This could be excruciating for me, always in a rush to get things done - having to slow down and wait.
Dad’s charts and graphs, sketches and drawings were legendary…some of those drawings, created on a placemat at the Highland. He would keep his notes and chart, from year to year, the intricacies of preparing our holiday dinners…when to “remove beef, insert potatoes, lower
temperature after squash is prepared, heat the fat for Yorkshire pudding…”. And it worked…most of the time. His plans for our home’s addition, our porch ceiling and windows, were so carefully executed. Even his last project - wrapping our support pole in my studio, complete with circular templates, measured twice, cut once - was masterful.
Dad was predeceased by his devoted wife Mary Libardi, in 2012; his parents, his brother Frank, sister-in-law, Gerry; sister-in-law Julia Shea, brother-in-law Herm Shea, and his niece, Gail Hoffman.
Survivors include his loving daughters, Amy Renak and Valerie Sharper, and Dad’s treasured sons-in-law, Mark Mitchell and David Sharper. He leaves his cherished niece, Christina Gratton and her husband, Lance; and nephew Mike Shea. In New York State, he leaves the children of his brother, nephew Steven (Kim) Renak, grand-nephews Ryan and John, and niece, Linda Renak. He leaves his niece Deborah Tagliento (Jim) and nephew David Hoffman (Jen).
He also leaves his extended and loved family, the children and grandchildren of Mark and great grandchildren to Dad: Sarah, for whom he had special affection, and Simon (Caitlin, Patrick, Benny, and Charles); Rebecca and Ben; Elizabeth and Max (Felix and Magnus); and Geoff. He also leaves his dear friend Ouisa Fohrhaltz, his greatest and most supportive cheerleader.
Our father lived the last five years of his life at Salisbury Estates. He would say, everyone seems to know me here. Dad was a quiet presence at meetings, encouraged to attend from knowing delicious desserts would follow; and enjoying the camaraderie of his friends at the monthly breakfasts. His home was dear to him, though it was a tough transition from living large, to living small. His neighbors welcomed him lovingly and we, his family, have appreciated this.
How do any of us summarize a loved one’s life in a few columns in the newspaper? It truly can’t be done. There are so many stories, so many beautiful moments we all shared with Dad. It is heartbreaking to consider all that is left unsaid about our brilliant, generous, and kind father’s life. We will speak of him lovingly at a funeral service at Zion Lutheran Church, 74 First St., Pittsfield, on Monday, May 15, 2023 at 11:00 am. Calling hours will be at Dery Funeral Home, 54 Bradford St., Pittsfield, from 4:00 - 7:00 pm on Sunday, May 14, 2023 If so desired, memorial donations may be made to Habitat for Humanity or Zion Lutheran Church or Berkshire Music School in care of the funeral home.
Tom was born on October 1, 1930, to Edith (Miller) and Frank Renak in Yonkers, NY. He arrived three years after the birth of his older brother Frank, who left us in 2006.
Tom was educated in New York public schools, and in 1948, went to work at the General Electric company in Schenectady, NY, and enrolled in the Technical Course for Laboratory Assistants, TCLA. In 1951, Tom was drafted into the United States Army, first heading to Fort Devans, MA, then Camp Gordon, Georgia, now Fort Gordon, where he was trained as a cryptographer. He was assigned to Fort Baker, CA where he was promoted through the ranks to Sergeant in April, 1953. He was proud to have served his country in this way, despite losing hearing in his right ear after a colleague’s “early shot” from his gun on the first day of boot camp. Tom graduated from Union College with a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering in 1958. Sadly, he will miss the Old Guard Dinner, part of his school’s 65th reunion, being held later this month.
Dad was proud of his days at Union, being involved with organizing and participating in many reunions throughout the years…parades and costumes included. Our father went back to work for the General Electric Company in 1958 in Pittsfield, for the GE Missile and Ordnance Systems
Department. In 1966 Tom was named Manager of the Weapon Control Systems Engineering Unit. Highlights of this period included meeting Fleet Ballistic Missile submarines at ports in Spain, Scotland, and Guam. In 1984, he led negotiations for the largest single contract in Ordnance Systems history, over 500 million dollars.
Tom was a member of the GE Elfun Society, the Berkshire Council of the Navy League, President of the Board of the Pittsfield Community Music School (now Berkshire Music School), board member of Pittsfield Central City Development Corp., member of Pittsfield Zoning Board of Appeals, chairman of the Commercial Area Revitalization District, board member of the Berkshire Public Theatre, the United Way, and a member of the Pittsfield Police Department
Study Commission.
Upon retirement, Tom began his “second career” with Habitat for Humanity, work of which he was enormously proud. How lucky was the new homeowner who would live in a home with kitchen cabinets built by Dad. Our father had deep regard, respect, and admiration for President Jimmy Carter, a deeply committed supporter of Habitat.
Our father was a sailor. For many years, he and a group of friends would sail up and down the northeast coast for a couple of summer weeks, usually a 30 foot sloop. Dad was typically the captain and these fellows had wonderful adventures. They enjoyed their cocktails and visits to dry land, even meeting up with us in Maine one summer, where we stayed at the Neuwagon Inn in Boothbay Harbor. (I won six dollars there, at the age of six, in a hot game of Bingo). Dad drew
maps and charts for these trips, packed with superior precision, and on they would sail.
Precision and care in creating were his trademarks. Our dad was a skilled carpenter. From the step stool with our names beautifully painted on it, for Valerie and me to reach the sink for brushing our teeth; to our toy boxes, now sweater storage, still sturdy and intact after all these years; to the home on Highland Ave. he renovated for his family; to the iceboat he built for sailing on Pontoosuc Lake; to his amazing work benches, with a cubby for every sized screw and nut one might imagine; to the flower boxes built in 1974 and still used today at Zion Lutheran Church; to the gracious dream home he built for his retirement with his wife Mary…his skills were astonishing and of the very highest quality.
Tom was erudite, a man who appreciated life’s gifts…music, particularly violin concerti and choral works (but not harpsichord!) and in particular, the musical The Pajama Game. He enjoyed the poetry of Robert Frost and Carl Sandburg and prior to the last few years, was a voracious reader. He would launch into verse spontaneously, reciting some verse or another relating to the topic at hand. “Seated one day at the organ, I was weary and ill at ease…”
His dry wit was always enjoyed by us. He loved a delicious meal, and especially, dessert. He often said I could open my own restaurant, if the music thing didn’t work out. It fills me with joy that he enjoyed my meals that much.
Though our dad was New York born, he considered himself a New Englander through and through, except when it came to his abiding devotion to the New York Yankees and the New York Giants. He and son-in-law Mark enjoyed watching golf together on Sunday afternoons.
Our father was a precise man. Everything he did was well-thought out, carefully planned. This could be excruciating for me, always in a rush to get things done - having to slow down and wait.
Dad’s charts and graphs, sketches and drawings were legendary…some of those drawings, created on a placemat at the Highland. He would keep his notes and chart, from year to year, the intricacies of preparing our holiday dinners…when to “remove beef, insert potatoes, lower
temperature after squash is prepared, heat the fat for Yorkshire pudding…”. And it worked…most of the time. His plans for our home’s addition, our porch ceiling and windows, were so carefully executed. Even his last project - wrapping our support pole in my studio, complete with circular templates, measured twice, cut once - was masterful.
Dad was predeceased by his devoted wife Mary Libardi, in 2012; his parents, his brother Frank, sister-in-law, Gerry; sister-in-law Julia Shea, brother-in-law Herm Shea, and his niece, Gail Hoffman.
Survivors include his loving daughters, Amy Renak and Valerie Sharper, and Dad’s treasured sons-in-law, Mark Mitchell and David Sharper. He leaves his cherished niece, Christina Gratton and her husband, Lance; and nephew Mike Shea. In New York State, he leaves the children of his brother, nephew Steven (Kim) Renak, grand-nephews Ryan and John, and niece, Linda Renak. He leaves his niece Deborah Tagliento (Jim) and nephew David Hoffman (Jen).
He also leaves his extended and loved family, the children and grandchildren of Mark and great grandchildren to Dad: Sarah, for whom he had special affection, and Simon (Caitlin, Patrick, Benny, and Charles); Rebecca and Ben; Elizabeth and Max (Felix and Magnus); and Geoff. He also leaves his dear friend Ouisa Fohrhaltz, his greatest and most supportive cheerleader.
Our father lived the last five years of his life at Salisbury Estates. He would say, everyone seems to know me here. Dad was a quiet presence at meetings, encouraged to attend from knowing delicious desserts would follow; and enjoying the camaraderie of his friends at the monthly breakfasts. His home was dear to him, though it was a tough transition from living large, to living small. His neighbors welcomed him lovingly and we, his family, have appreciated this.
How do any of us summarize a loved one’s life in a few columns in the newspaper? It truly can’t be done. There are so many stories, so many beautiful moments we all shared with Dad. It is heartbreaking to consider all that is left unsaid about our brilliant, generous, and kind father’s life. We will speak of him lovingly at a funeral service at Zion Lutheran Church, 74 First St., Pittsfield, on Monday, May 15, 2023 at 11:00 am. Calling hours will be at Dery Funeral Home, 54 Bradford St., Pittsfield, from 4:00 - 7:00 pm on Sunday, May 14, 2023 If so desired, memorial donations may be made to Habitat for Humanity or Zion Lutheran Church or Berkshire Music School in care of the funeral home.