Obituary of Thomas Webb

Thomas W. Webb June 6, 1948-January 28, 2024 Thomas W. Webb, a lifelong resident of Catlin Township, Chemung County, died at home on January 28, 2024 after a long illness. He was the son of Melvin Wallace Webb and Mary-Jane Lloyd. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by brother Allen Robert Webb, and half-brother Kenneth (Butch) Rollins. He is survived by brothers David Webb (and spouse Joann Bellows) of Catlin, NY, and George Webb of Houma, LA. He is also survived by sister Mary W. Martin (and spouse David) of Hector, NY and half-sister Peggy Ann Rollins Sauer of Hempstead, NY. He is survived by his nieces Rejeanna Gates and Liz Martin and nephew Christopher Martin. He attended Big Flats Elementary School and Horseheads High School, and graduated from Corning Community College. He served his country in the US Coast Guard on a Cutter stationed in Miami, conducting at sea drug interdictions, before receiving an honorable discharge and returning to Catlin. He was employed in the Fiber Optic Lab at Corning Inc., and conducted experiments with fiber optics. His name is associated with many patents registered when he was a technician in the laboratory there. He was held in esteem by coworkers and made significant contributions to the early days of optical amplifiers, devices that make the internet possible. He worked the farm in Catlin all his life. The family is especially grateful to his niece Rejeanna Gates, who served as his nurse and maintained a bedside vigil in his final week.