Thomas S. Kolbert

December 5, 2023, Age 83, of Cheektowaga, NY passed peacefully surrounded by his loving family. Beloved husband of 33 years to Elaine T. (nee Domin) Kolbert; loving father of Thomas Kolbert, Kimberly (John) Krempa, Kelly Lopez, Kristen (Shaun) Carlisle, Kolleen (Paul) Parwulski , Kerry (James) Dudziak and stepchildren, Kimberly Wagner and Randy Wagner. Cherished grandfather to many beautiful grandchildren and great grandchildren. Tom began his career as a Court Reporter in 1968 and later served as Town Justice for 10 years with the Village of Sloan, 25 years with the Town of Cheektowaga, & 4 years with the Village of Depew. He received many accolades, especially the Mothers Against Drunk Drivers Special Recognition Award, as well as the Citizen of the Year by the Cheektowaga Police Captains and Lieutenants Association. He was also a member of the Rescue Hose Co. No. 1 for over 48 years. The family will be present to receive relatives and friends on Monday December 11th from 3-7 PM at the DANIEL R. SMOLAREK FUNERAL HOME, 2510 Union Rd., Cheektowaga (2 blocks south of William St.). A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday at 10 AM in St. Andrews RC Church, Sloan. Please assemble at Church. Interment in St Stanislaus Cemetery. Flowers gratefully declined. Donations may be made in Tom’s name to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation. Please leave condolences online at www.SmolarekCares.com ****************************************************************************************************************** Thomas S. Kolbert, 83, Dedicated Judge Helped Victims of Abuse December 13, 1939-December 5, 2023 Thomas S. Kolbert served as Cheektowaga Town Justice for 25 years, and finished his career with over 40 years of judicial and court room experience. The retired judge died under Hospice care in Cheektowaga, NY on Tuesday, December 5, 2023. He was 83 years old. A Cheektowaga native, Thomas began his career as a Court Reporter in 1968. He later served as Town Justice for three jurisdictions. He was appointed as Acting Judge for the Village of Sloan in 1985 and served for ten years in that role. He was appointed to Cheektowaga Town Justice in 1989, where he served for 25 years, and was appointed Acting Village Justice for Depew in 1995, where he served for four years. Substance and Domestic abuse were his top two issues. As a Town Justice, he helped victims and their families obtain fairness, while assisting in rehabilitating offenders. In 1991, as Cheektowaga Town Justice, Thomas developed the Victim Impact Program for First Time Offenders, in order to educate first time DWI offenders as to the dangers of drinking and driving, as well as the devastating impact it has on family and friends. Over 7,400 offenders successfully completed this program. Numerous other courts adopted this program, as well as other courts as far reaching as Pennsylvania. In 2000, Thomas developed the Cheektowaga Domestic Violence Court, where offenders’ progress was overseen and reviewed by the court. As Cheektowaga Town Justice, he received many accolades. Among them, in 1994, he was the recipient of the Mothers Against Drunk Drivers Special Recognition Award, as well as the Citizen of the Year by the Cheektowaga Police Captains and Lieutenants Association. He was a member of the Rescue Hose Fire Volunteer Company for over 48 years. Thomas is survived by his wife of 33 years, Elaine, a retired Buffalo educator and his children, Thomas Kolbert, Kimberly (John) Krempa, Kelly Lopez, Kristen (Shaun) Carlisle, Kolleen (Paul) Parwulski , Kerry (James) Dudziak and stepchildren, Kimberly Wagner and Randy Wagner, and many beautiful grandchildren and great grandchildren. The family will be present to receive relatives and friends on Monday December 11th from 3-7 PM at the DANIEL R. SMOLAREK FUNERAL HOME, 2510 Union Rd., Cheektowaga (2 blocks south of William St.). A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday at 10 AM in St. Andrews RC Church, Sloan. Please assemble at Church. Interment in St Stanislaus Cemetery. Flowers gratefully declined. Donations may be made in Tom’s name to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation. Please leave condolences online at www.SmolarekCares.com

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Thomas S. Kolbert

December 13, 1939 - December 5, 2023