Caneadea – Thomas R. Machamer, 71, entered the presence of his Lord and Savior unexpectedly at home on Tuesday, July 21, 2026, following a medical event.

Tom was born on October 18, 1954 in Ithaca, New York to Betty Jean Wolcott. He graduated from Elmira Free Academy in 1974, then worked in construction for over 40 years, often as an independent contractor. He also worked at Houghton University for 20 years, serving as a groundskeeper and sports team driver until his retirement in 2016. It was at Houghton where Tom met his wife, Laurie J. (Eagle) Bosch, in 2010. They married on February 11, 2011, at the Houghton Wesleyan Church.

Tom is remembered as a Jack of All Trades who found immense joy and purpose in using his skills and resourcefulness to help others. A longtime member of the Houghton Wesleyan Church, Tom truly lived his faith—his generosity was a constant inspiration to those around him. He rarely spent money on himself, preferring to save it for those who would need it more. Likewise he was never idle, always eager to offer his time, skills, and possessions to anyone in need.

In this way, Tom became a familiar face throughout the Houghton community, where, among other services, he shoveled snow for the town, split firewood for its residents, helped with construction projects, and drove his Amish neighbors. He also supported young people by sharing his skills and knowledge, including through a connection with Houghton Academy and its international students. He was community-minded, ever seeking to support and understand others and to live out his dream of bringing people together.

In his personal life, Tom loved music—especially Blues—and loved to travel. Above all, though, he found happiness in being of service to those around him; his kindness will live on in the many lives he touched with such contagious joy and inspiring generosity.

As well as a thoughtful and generous community member, Tom was a loving husband and father and a playful, devoted grandfather. In addition to Laurie, his wife of 15 years, he is survived by two children, Thomas “Elliott” Machamer and Makenna Machamer, both of Lockport; the mother of his children and former spouse of 22 years, Cynthia Machamer; five stepchildren, Ethan (Lydia) Bosch, Rebecca (Adam) Michaelides, Ruth (Dr. Todd) Bindig, Roanne (Michael Sedelmeyer) Bosch, and Robyn Ruiz; two sisters, Kim (Don) Seymour and Deborah Gene Lane; his former mother-in-law, Gail Mazourek; sisters-in-law Jackie Nelson and Cheryl Eagle; and son-in-law Anibal Ruiz.

Tom is also survived by 23 grandchildren: Oliver Machamer, Mayra Mejia, Isaiah Mejia, Matthias Bosch, Elias Bosch, Josiah Bosch, Jonah Bosch, Amos Bosch, Cyrus Bosch, Amaya Michaelides, Ashley (Jared) Kozik, Ivy (Quinn) Allard, Calliope Bindig, Isabella “Nico” Bindig, Violet Bindig, Leo Bindig, Gretta Bindig, Wolfgang Bindig, Ariadne Bindig, Valerian Bindig, Rhaeny Bindig, Jade Ruiz, and Kaiden Ruiz; five great-grandchildren, John Kozik, Theodocia Kozik, Atreyu Allard, Esca Allard, and Necile Allard; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

He is predeceased by brothers-in-law Ken Nelson and Bill Eagle.

There will be no prior visitation. A Graveside Committal will be held at 3 pm on Sunday, October 18 at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery (9405 Route 19 Houghton, NY 14744), followed by a Fellowship of Thanksgiving for God’s Goodness and Tom’s Life at the Houghton Wesleyan Church (9712 Route 19 Houghton, NY 14744). The Fellowship will include light refreshments and an open mic to share memories and reflect on Tom’s life.

The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, contributions in Tom’s memory be made to Houghton Academy to support its work with students and young people, continuing to uplift those who Tom cared so deeply about helping to find purpose, direction, and a place to belong: Houghton Academy Annual Fund 9790 Thayer Street Houghton, NY 14744 https://houghtonacademy.factsmgtadmin.com/give 

Tom had a gift for seeing the value in things others might overlook. In that spirit, an online auction of items he collected and salvaged will be running the last week of October https://www.rgmason-auctions.com