Thomas C. Tillinghast

Thomas Corwin Tillinghast, a former member of the East Hampton Fire Department and charter member of the East Hampton Kiwanis Club, died of complications of heart disease at home in Southold on July 17.

Mr. Tillinghast, who was born on a dairy farm at Apaquogue and Georgica Roads, lived nearly all of his 61 years in East Hampton. He moved to Southold in 2011, said his brother, Robert Tillinghast of East Hampton.

He was born on Nov. 29, 1952, at Southampton Hospital to Frank H. Tillinghast Sr. and the former Caroline C. Collins, both of whom died before him. He grew up on Apaquogue Road and was a member of East Hampton High School’s class of 1971.

Mr. Tillinghast was self-employed in the field of landscaping and excavation. Previously, he worked at the G&T Dairy on Race Lane, on the site where Mr. Tillinghast’s family had been selling milk from its dairy farm since 1942. The Tillinghast Dairy Farm merged with the Gould Brothers dairy on nearby Gingerbread Lane to form the G&T Dairy in the late 1960s. Mr. Tillinghast continued to work there when the business became the Chicken House, which closed in 1997.

Mr. Tillinghast also worked for farmers including Howell Topping and Cliff Foster, as well as at Schenck Fuels. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, and cooking, his family said.

Another brother, Frank Tillinghast Jr. of East Hampton, survives, as do one nephew, two nieces, two great-nephews, and one great-niece.

A graveside funeral service was held on July 25 at the South End Burying Ground in East Hampton. Mr. Tillinghast’s family has suggested memorial contributions to the Southold Fire Department Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 908, Southold 11971.