Obituary: Thomas M. Gerusky

Thomas M. Gerusky, age 74 of Allendale in Lower Allen Twp., died Sunday in Select Specialty Hospital, East Pennsboro Twp. Mr. Gerusky was born on June 18, 1935 in Fort Edward, near Lake George, New York, a son of the late Michael and Marie Varney Gerusky. He received a bachelor's degree at Union College and in 1956 earned a master's degree in radiological physics at the University of Rochester. Before coming to Harrisburg he worked at the Brookhaven National Atomic Laboratory and for Squibb Institute. At Union College he was a member of Phi Delta Theta Fraternity and the Garnet Key Society. Gerusky was the director of the Pennsylvania Bureau of Radiological Health in the Department of Environmental Resources. He later worked for the U.S. Department of Energy Environmental Restoration program in Germantown, MD. Patriot-News columnist Paul B. Beers, in "Reporter At Large" wrote that Gerusky was said to be "the faceless expert quoted whenever there is fallout or a nuclear power plant leak. A welcome side-talent of his expertise is that public communications comes easy to him and he is good at it...." Gerusky's expertise and knowledge was widely sought during the Three Mile Island Nuclear accident in 1979. Most notable were actions he took toward protecting the citizens of Pennsylvania during the TMI incident. Surviving is his wife Patricia A., at home; two daughters Kathleen Hamilton, of Etters and Diane Adam of Lebanon; one son, Michael Gerusky of Greensburg; six grandchildren, Michael, Lindsay, Shaun, Brittany, Aaron and Thomas; two sisters, Sharron Beaty and Shirley Corrigan, both of Florida. There will be a memorial gathering on Thursday, Dec. 10 from 6-8p.m. at Mussleman Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Inc., 324 Hummel Ave., Lemoyne. there will be no viewing. Burial will be at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to PUlmonary Education and Research foundation at perf2ndwind.org