The Post-Journal

Thomas F. Prechtl

Thomas F. Prechtl, 73, of Route 474, Ashville, died February 12, 2008 in the WCA Hospital.

An area resident since 1960 he was born February 3, 1935 in Dunkirk, the son of Gerald H. and Laura Thies Prechtl.

Tom was a 1953 graduate of Fredonia High School, a 1957 graduate of Niagara University earning a Bachelor Degree in Business and in 1960 graduated from Fredonia State Teachers College earning a Bachelor Degree in Education.

He was a sixth grade teacher for the Jamestown School System in Bush Elementary School and retired from the Jefferson Middle School from 1960 until 1990; he was a self employed excavator since 1962; and the Navigation Patrol on Chautauqua Lake for the Chautauqua County Sheriffs Department from 1960 until 1968.

Tom was a communicant at Our Lady of Snows Catholic Church, Panama since 1973 and was a member of Lakewood Rod and Gun Club. He loved coaching basketball at Panama Central School, Jamestown Community College and Jamestown High School.

Surviving are his wife Julia Lundgren Prechtl whom he married August 24, 1957; 3 daughters, Cynthia P. (Michael) Kukoda of Angola, Karin P. (Ronald) Guye and Kristin P. (Daniel) Clarke all of Richmond, Va.; a son Mark T. (Renee) Prechtl of Bemus Point; nine grandchildren Elizabeth (Matthew) Copeland of Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, Joanne (Rob) Elnicky of Reston, Va., Paul (Andrea) Kukoda of Buffalo, Melissa Guye, Matthew and Sophia Clarke all of Richmond, VA, Jillian, Jaclyn and Jennifer Prechtl all of Bemus Point; two great grandchildren Juliana Kukoda of Buffalo and Madeliene Copeland of Mississauga; and a sister Sally (David) McClure of Sulphur Springs, Arkansas.

Tom was preceded in death by his granddaughter Kathryn Guye on October 22, 2006.

Burial will be in the Sunset Hill Cemetery.

The family suggests that memorials be made to Our Lady of Snows Catholic Church, Main St, Panama, NY, 14767 or Hospice Chautauqua County, 4840 West Lake Rd, Mayville, NY, 14757.

The Lind Funeral Home in Jamestown is in charge of arrangements.


The additional financial assistance of the community is critical to the success of the Chautauqua Sports Hall of Fame.
We gratefully acknowledge these individuals and organizations for their generous support.