Thomas "Tom" John Farnan

Thomas "Tom" John Farnan passed away peacefully on Thursday, March 12, 2026 at his home, the Home of the Good Shepherd in Wilton, NY. He was born in Glens Falls, N.Y., the oldest of five children, on October 13,1930 to Thomas "Tim" James Farnan and Bertha Farrell Farnan. He was born with 100% Irish ancestry, which he was so very proud of. Tom married Mary T. Joyce on July 18,1953; they were married for 45 years until her passing in 1997. He was a devoted caregiver to her for many years, and he cherished her so very much. He resided in Johnstown N.Y and Gloversville N.Y, where he and Mary raised their three daughters. He grew up Irish Catholic on a local farm and he loved talking about life on the farm. Many times he recounted the story of President Franklin D Roosevelt and Eleanor, driving by the farm in Bemis Heights NY in 1940, when Tom was 10 years old, to open The Saratoga National Historical Park, which was the sight of the Revolutionary War, Battle of Saratoga. Tom graduated from Mechanicville High School in 1947and Siena College on the GI Bill in 1956, with a Bachelor of Science in Physics. He enlisted in the Air Force and served in Texas and Korea from 1950-1954. during the Korean War. Tom was very proud to be a veteran of the US Air Force. Mr. Farnan pursued his career at Niagara Mohawk (now National Grid) where he was an Electrical Superintendent for many years. He was very dedicated to his job, many times going out in the middle of the night to supervise linemen who were restoring electricity. Tom maintained many friendships with his work associates over the years. He always shared many interesting stories about his adventures, especially during the many ice storms in upstate N.Y. over the years. He worked at Niagara Mohawk for 34 years, retiring in 1991. Tom was a devoted family man to his immediate family and extended family as well. He had a special relationship with all of his sisters and he stayed in touch by phone calls and visits, right up until the end of his life. Tom was social, friendly, non-judgmental, had a great sense of humor, and was loved by all who knew him. He handed all of his family his love of sports and he was an avid sports fan and participant. He played basketball, baseball, softball and tennis. He loved going to watch grandchildren and nieces and nephews, and really anyone he had a slight connection to, play sports. Tom was an avid New York Giants, New York Yankee and Buffalo Bills fan. He also enjoyed playing bridge at Johnstown Senior Center and poker, anywhere he could find a good game. Tom loved to travel and took many cross-country trips in a pick-up camper with his young family creating cherished memories. For over the past twenty years, he enjoyed spending time at the family camp in Saratoga Lake, socializing with family and friends. During his life, he traveled to Ireland where his grandparents were born as well as Korea and Japan during his military service. Tom was a member of Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Johnstown N.Y. He was also an active member of the Adirondack Chapter of the Korean War Veterans. He marched in many parades with the veterans and traveled around the area where he lived, giving presentations with his sister, of their father's involvement and bravery during WW1. At age 91, Tom was still doing these presentations. In addition to his parents and his wife, Tom was predeceased by two sisters, Anne Butler and Mary Lou Gilgallon, and a grandson, Anthony Papa. Survivors include three daughters, Colleen M. Farnan (David Oxford), Joyce C. (Michael) Vietri and Mary Beth Papa; two sisters, Joan Campbell and Carol Reynolds; four grandchildren, Zachary (Amelia) Vietri, Joseph (Liz) Vietri, Benjamin Vietri (Darian) and Jacqueline (Bryan) Strouse; six great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. Tom's daughters would like to thank the extended Farnan family for their love and support, particularly his sisters, Joan Campbell and Carol Reynolds, and his cousin, Paul Farnan. They would also like to thank the staff at the Home of the Good Shepherd in Wilton for their loving care of Tom. Additionally, the family is grateful to Community Hospice of Saratoga for their excellent care of Tom, in particular, his Hospice nurse, Katelynn. Calling hours will be held on Friday, March 20, 2026, from 3-6 pm at the Robert M. Halgas Funeral Home, Inc. 111 County Highway 106 (Corner of Route 29 & Black Street), Johnstown. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday at 11:30 am at St. Peter’s Church, 895 Hudson Ave. Stillwater, with Rev. Marty Fisher, officiating. Burial with military honors will take place in St. Peter’s Cemetery, Stillwater. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Community Hospice of Saratoga or Saratoga County Veterans Trust and Agency Fund of Saratoga County Veterans Agency in care of the funeral home.

Thomas "Tom" John Farnan

October 13, 1930 - March 12, 2026

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Thomas "Tom" John Farnan

October 13, 1930 - March 12, 2026

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