Thomas General, son of Thomas Bachelor and Jacqueline Frank (nee General), was called by God to Himself on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, just before dawn.

He departed from his wife of 26 years, Julie Ann General (nee Strassell) and his five children; Natalie Jo General, Joseph Thomas General, Jack Christopher General, Nicholaus Karol General and Anna Martine General.

He also temporarily said goodbye to his brothers Bernie Mason and Arnold (Junior) Mason and his dear sister Jacqueline (Jackie) Mason, and his in-laws James George Strassell and Bonita Sue Strassell (nee Kramer) and many, many aunts, uncles, cousins, sister and brother in-laws, nephews, nieces and friends, all of whom he loved.

Tom was/is an example of working with God’s graces as he traveled through the different stages of his life.

He often recalled early childhood memories of living with his mom and siblings in the same building as his grandma Grace and other close relatives. Other relatives lived in homes nearby. Consequently, there were many “around the corner” store runs for little Tom; most of which provided a nice profit for him. He really liked that.

As a youth Tom took a special interest in drawing, guitar playing, wrestling, and comic books, which he enjoyed for most of the rest of his life. He had a way with words and childhood friends would hunt him down to help them write love-letters. Transportation wasn’t an issue for this teen, as he and friends pedaled for miles here and there, usually heading to the Seneca Park pool where they would do backflips and dives to impress the girls.

Tom finally settled down to a family life of his own, working very hard at Hanes Supply to provide for them. He took great pride in having a little extra for “this or that” for his family. He once, early in their marriage and with the first child to support, took a side job at the Public Market- in the fish department. He would still have some scales on his clothes when he came home. His wife saw his great love through this. He spent weekends in the freezing cold with his sons on winter Boy Scout campouts, and went on various “one on one” outings with each of his children. He worked hard and committedly at husband-hood and father-hood.

The ultimate grace that Tom cooperated with and accepted was cancer. This stripped him of most earthly pleasures- speech, the sense of smell, normal breathing, and then, drawing, playing guitar, and then driving, walking, and then even the ability to eat and drink normally. Still, he struggled to live, even in this way, so as not to leave his family. In between recovery efforts he even went back to work full time when he felt strong, in order to provide. Tom then, with grace, resigned to the invitation by God to rest with Him.

We will so miss you Tom, dad.

The photo of Tom above was taken on the pilgrimage in the grape field of Medjugorje.

Visitation for Tom will be held on Friday, November 21, 2025 from 4-7pm at Harloff Funeral Home, 803 South Washington Street, East Rochester. His Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, November 22, 9:30am at St. Jerome's Church, 207 Garfield St., East Rochester.