It is with sadness in our hearts that we announce that Tom Gerlach, father of Cranston Reds U16 player Nick Gerlach, passed away unexpectedly Friday morning while at work. Tom has been a member of the NEH/RB Hockey family for over 4 years as a parent volunteer and coach. The Reds/NEH/RB Hockey Organization is deeply saddened by the loss of a dear family member.

Please remember to keep Nick and the entire Gerlach family in your prayers!

GERLACH, THOMAS F., 46, of Greenlake Drive, a heavy equipment operator for Boyle and Fogarty Construction for 29 years, died Friday, October 1, 2010. He was the husband of Kathleen L. (Farrell) Gerlach. They had been married for 19 years.

Born in Providence, he was a son of James E. and Ann (Winfield) Gerlach of Narragansett. He had been a lifelong resident of Smithfield. A 1982 graduate of Smithfield High School and a graduate of CCRI. He was a coach for Smithfield Vikings Football and also for many youth hockey teams.

Besides his wife and parents he is survived by his sons: Thomas F. "TJ" Gerlach, Jr. and Nicholas J. Gerlach, both of Smithfield, his sister: Kathryn Manning Butler and her husband Jeffrey of Wakefield, his brothers John Gerlach of San Francisco, CA, Kyle Gerlach and his wife Lynn of Smithfield, Eward Gerlach and his wife Erin of Pembroke, MA, Robert Gerlach of Scituate, his mother-in-law, Janet Farrell, in-laws, Kelly and Arthur Barrette, William and Rhonda Farrell all of Greenville and Robert and Laurie Farrell of Johnston, many nieces, nephews and extended family members. He was the brother of the late James and Joseph Gerlach and Michael Manning.