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Rensselaer County resident Thomas Haberland, of the Town of Nassau, died Wednesday, Sept. 27, at the age of 37 following a “courageous” battle with cancer, according to his obituary.
A lifelong resident of Nassau, Haberland owns NE Tree and Property Services, where he humorously lists his job description as "flying squirrel." He began the venture as a teenager.
“Kind, caring, and generous are just a few of the traits he embodied,” reads his memorial. “He treasured working side by side with his wife, brother, and father and was proud of all they accomplished.”
Together with his wife Stacey and their daughter Alexis Marie, he enjoyed quading, camping, fishing, snowmobiling, and jet skiing.
“Nothing made him happier than being with them,” his obituary said.
In January 2023, months after suffering a devastating femur injury while completing a tree job, Haberland was diagnosed with primary sclerosing cholangitis, a rare liver disease that attacks the bile duct. Doctors told him he would need a liver transplant.
“Family members stepped up to the plate and began the process of determining if they would be a match,” reads a GoFundMe campaign to help the family with medical bills. “In the end, Carissa, Tom’s cousin, was found to be a match!”
The joyous news of a viable donor didn’t last long, however. A month later, just as doctors were beginning the liver transplant procedure, they made a heartbreaking discovery.
“Despite all of the imaging and testing that we went through prior to surgery, Tom’s surgery team made the discovery of extrahepatic bile duct cancer (cholangiocarcinoma) during the surgical procedure,” Carissa Haberland said in an update. “Transplant was no longer a safe option for Tom.”
Weekly hospital visits followed in which Haberland underwent chemotherapy and radiation treatments. All the while, Stacey was right by his side.
"Stacey has been an unwavering caregiver for Tom through this process, while juggling all of their other responsibilities of keeping their businesses operating," Carissa Haberland said. "Her patience and tenderness with Tom is one of the most beautiful expressions of love I have ever witnessed."
Haberland later wrote on Facebook that he was "overwhelmed" by the incredible outpouring of support for the fundraiser, which ended up raising tens of thousands of dollars.
"I'm mind blown. I couldn't come up with words, just tears," he said. "Then I started seeing the generosity of my friends and family, and how many people are right there to help and I was in awe. I still can't grasp the reality of this and have nothing but the most grateful feeling of appreciation for everyone."
News of his death garnered an outpouring of tributes online, including from Lexi Casalino, who remembered Haberland as a "caring, loving and generous man who was cared for and wholeheartedly loved by his wife and consummate soulmate until his untimely passing."
Condolences also came from Our Towne Magazine, which hailed Haberland as “a true self-made small business owner that would do anything for anyone in need.”
“He was robbed of a long, healthy life with his family,” the magazine said on Facebook. “He was so, so dedicated to his family and business and I have never witnessed someone so strong and committed to fighting for LIFE.”
Relatives remembered Haberland as a “devoted family man” who leaves behind “a legacy of love, kindness, and countless precious memories.”
In addition to his wife and daughter, Haberland is survived by his parents Thomas and Donna; brother Corey; niece Arianna; mother-in-law Susan Jones; father-in-law Clarence Jones; and brother-in-law Randy (Patty) Jones.
Also mourning his loss are aunts and uncles William Haberland; Janet (Patrick) Mahoney; Daniel Haberland; Judith Teiper; Timothy Haberland; Monica (Gregory) Walsh; Francis (Barbara) Haberland; Christina (David) Williams; Darlene (Link) Pettit; Lois (Jim) Bennett; Jacqueline (Jim) Green; and Kenneth (Linda-Le) Morris, as well as many loving cousins.
Calling hours will be held from noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct 1, at the Rockefeller Funeral Home in Rensselaer, with funeral services immediately following.
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