Thomas J. Garcia

Thomas J. Garcia passed away on Sunday, January 17, 2021, at the Glens Falls Hospital after a brief illness.  Tom resided in Elysburg, PA for the last twenty years, but returned to his beloved Adirondacks in 2020, where he resided in Warrensburg, NY with his daughter Julie.

Tom was born on February 1, 1939, in Witherbee, NY, the son of Grace Mussari Garcia and Eleuterio Garcia. His parents had a great influence on his life.  Like his mother, who was Italian, Tom enjoyed making his world-famous meatballs and was always in search of a good pasta fagioli.  His father, Eleuterio, immigrated from Spain and passed onto his son an incredibly strong work ethic.  Tom, like his father spent his career working in the mines.  His mining career began in 1965, in Willsboro, NY working for Interpace Corporation.  Over his fifty-year career, Tom learned to be a Blaster, Powder Man and Shift Foreman.  He earned his way to a position with the Federal Government where he worked as a Mine Inspector and was eventually promoted to Office Supervisor. Tom felt strongly about watching out for the safety and welfare of the people who made there living doing this dangerous work.  He was recognized over the years for his unhesitating and unselfish acts when responding to mining disasters.  Often, having to do search and recovery work after an explosion.  When sharing these stories, he would often become emotional speaking about the individuals who lost their lives in the mines. He never forgot his roots or the men who lost their lives, mining, in his own hometown of Witherbee, NY.   Tom did not often show this side to others.

Tom enjoyed being a member of the Robin Wood Hunting Club, in Hamilton County NY, from 2008 until 2020.  He enjoyed his cabin in the woods, fishing, and hunting rabbits with his beagle and best friend Jack.  He was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed the solitude he found in the woods.  

Tom instilled in his three children the importance of making an honest living, working hard and of course saving for retirement.  He was their biggest fan, while at the same time being their biggest critic.  He had a way of being both, but always with their best interest at heart.

The family would like to thank the doctors and nurses at Glens Falls Hospital for their compassion and kindness. 

Tom is survived by his children Gina (Tom) Catanzarita of Charlotte, VT, Julie Garcia of Warrensburg, NY, and Kevin Thomas Garcia of Duxbury, VT; grandchildren Chelsea (Josh) Daneault and Augustus Thomas Garcia, and twin great grandchildren Willa and Jack Daneault; his good friend, Linda Cromley, Bloomsburg, PA, a sister Sandra (Paul) Mazzotte of Mineville, NY and brother Joseph (Audrey) Garcia of Albany, NY, sister-in-law Gaynelle Gutierrez of Willsboro, NY and several nieces and nephews.  He was predeceased by his father, mother, and brother Simon J. Gutierrez. 

Due to the COVID pandemic there will be no calling hours.  A private Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in the St. Patrick’s Church, Port Henry, NY at 12:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 21, 2021 with Reverend Albert Hauser officiating.  Face covering and social distancing are required both outside and inside during the services. A burial will be scheduled in the spring where the family hopes to welcome friends. 

To sign the guestbook or to light a candle, visit www.harlandfuneralhome.com

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in memory of Thomas J. Garcia to a favorite charity.