Szuszitzky, Thomas C.

Thomas C. Szuszitzky, (aka

3Z’s) age 74, passed into the next life on April

7th, 2017 after suffering a hemorrhagic stroke. Thomas was born on Feb. 13th, 1943 in Albuq, NM and was the son of the late Vernon Szuszitzky and Marian Scheers. His wife, Janet Arrasmith Szuszitzky, preceded him in death in 2016. He is survived by his 2 sons, Gilbert and Matthew Szuszitzky.

A man of great compassion & many talents, Tom had his R.N. in Nursing, a B.S. in Psychology and Speech Pathology and a Master’s degree in Deaf Education. He taught at New Mexico School for the Deaf & California State University before turning his talents to medicine, specifically working as a nurse in the psychiatric hospitals.

With Tom was also a licensed minister who, along with his wife, Janet, gave freely of his time and energy as a counselor and minister to federal prisons and poverty stricken areas in Mexico and Honduras. He was the pastor of the Fence Lake Community Church in Fence Lake, NM. An advocate for the ASPCA & Public Service Television, he also served on the Colorado State Task Force on Deafness, American Association of Christian Counselors, & the Colorado Advisory Committee on Pastoral Counseling.

Through his work with the National Institute of Mental Health, and the Rehoboth McKinley Hospital Behavioral Health Center, and Fort Logan Mental Health Center in Colorado, Thomas impacted the lives of hundreds of people. His open heart welcomed any who sought comfort – right up to the week he died neighbors would knock on his door when they just needed someone to talk to.

A Celebration of Tom’s life will be held on May 13th, 2017 at 2pm at the Covenant Presbyterian Church, 9315 Candelaria Rd NE, Albuquerque, NM.