Timothy J. ‘Tim” Deebs – 68 – of 23 Hakes Ave., Hornell, died Wednesday afternoon (March 2, 2022) at Arnot Ogden Medical Center in Elmira, following a brief illness.
Born in Hornell on April 3, 1953, he was the son of Fred “Blackie” & Thomasine “Tommie” (Doyle) Deebs.
Tim, affectionately known as “Mecca”, grew up in Hornell and was a graduate of Hornell High School (class of 1971). While in high school, he was a member of the HHS football team, wrestling team and track team. It was at that time that he began working for his father at Hornell Tank & Pump Company, a business that he would eventually own & operate under the name Deebs Tank & Pump.
For a time, Tim was employed as a backhoe operator for Karl Weyand Construction of Hornell and later drove tractor-trailer. For several years he served as a brakeman for the former Delaware & Hudson (D&H) Railroad. A licensed electrician, Tim owned & operated his own electrical contracting business in Hornell and as a licensed mechanic owned & operated Seneca Street CITGO, the last “Full Service Gas Station” in Hornell. He was later employed at TTA Corporation in Kanona and Alstom Corporation of Hornell. He retired in 2010 due to ill health.
Tim had been a communicant of the former St. Ignatius Loyola Church and a 3rd Degree member of the Hornell Knights of Columbus and also a member of the Hornell Association. He was an avid Buffalo Bills Football fan as well as a New York Yankee fan. Tim was also a “die-hard” NASCAR fan. In his younger years, he liked to go deer hunting with his friends and enjoyed restoring vintage cars.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Fred & “Tommie” Deebs; and his infant brother, John Deebs.
Surviving are 2 brothers, Thomas (Irene) Deebs of Largo, FL and Michael (Andrea) Deebs of Hornell; 2 sisters, Lori (Bob) Flaitz of Hornell and Karen (Paul) Stevens of Arkport; his “Special Aunt”, Mary Kay (Lee) Montgomery of Baltimore, MD; several nieces, nephews & cousins.
At Tim’s request there will be no calling hours. A Memorial Mass will be held at St. Ann’s Church at a time & date to be announced. Final interment will be in Hornell Rural Cemetery.
Funeral arrangements are in care of the Dagon Funeral Home, 38 Church St., Hornell, NY.
Tim’s family request that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in his name be made to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society or to the Hornell Humane Society.
Our most sincere condolences to the family and friends of a great man.
I am so sorry to hear about Tim’s passing. I’m so sorry for your loss. Sending lots of prayers and my sincere sympathy. May he rest forever in arms of our Lord. I’ll miss you seeing you, having coffee with your friends.
I am so sorry for the loss of your brother. We were very vise. We grew up together. He used to stay over night with me when U lived at the white farm house at Camp Rafburn. My heart goes out to the whole family. Love and prayers.
Our condolences go out to the entire family🙏🏻✝️. I will miss you my friend. God speed!
I am deeply saddened to read this today. When Tim operated Citgo he also ran a B.B.S. called the CIA (sort of a thing we had before the internet) in 1993 when I was 15 he trusted me enough to lend me $500 dollars to buy my own computer and start a B.B.S. of my own after having only met me through his own B.B.S. I will always remember his kindness.
My deepest most sincere sympathy to the Deebs family. Tim and I were very close childhood friends had many great times together. Circumstances and time got in the way. I always had great affection for Tim, he was a very kind person. May the Angels guide him to Paradise. Rest In Peace my old friend.