Toma M. Stevanovic


STANFORDVILLE — Toma M. Stevanovic, a resident of Stanfordville for 27 years, and formerly of Cold Spring, N.Y., died Dec. 26, 2006, at St. Francis Hospital in Poughkeepsie.

The youngest of five children, he was born in Kupinovac, Serbia, on July 18, 1927, the son of Ubavka and Milic Stevanovic.

He graduated from teacher’s college in Jagodina, Serbia, and subsequently was a principal and teacher for several years before emigrating to Paris in 1956.

In Paris, he worked at various jobs for five years before emigrating to New York City in 1961. In 1962, he joined IBM, where he worked for 28 years until his retirement in 1990. Many of his years with the company were spent in the world trade division.

Mr. Stevanovic enjoyed reading, writing, cooking, playing the violin, collecting antiques, playing chess, gardening and doing yard work. He was also an avid artist and an exceptional storyteller. He spoke four languages fluently.

From his first marriage to Katarina Raspvorov in Serbia, he is survived by his sons, Miroslav Stevanovic of Virginia Beach, Va., and Radmio Stevanovic of Kragujevac, Serbia.

He married Donna Wopnford of Arborg, Canada, in Cold Spring on Aug. 12, 1972. She survives him at home along with his son, Mark Stevanovic of Glen Cove, N.Y., and daughter, Julia (Stevanovic) Ragle of Brooklyn, N.Y.

In 1999, he was reunited with his daughter, Alma Rosa Rivera, of Astoria, N.Y., daughter of Ana Delavera.

In addition, he has many brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, sons- and daughters-in-law, nieces and nephews who join his large family in this loss.

Mr. Stevanovic will be missed but lovingly remembered as a caring husband and father who loved spending time with his family. Above all his pastimes, it was still his love and concern for his family and friends that always came first.

The Peck and Peck Funeral Home in Pine Plains has charge of the arrangements.

In lieu of flowers it is requested that contributions be sent to the Stanford Rescue Squad, or the Stanford Library, Stanfordville, NY 12581.

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