Thomas A. Harty

1920 - 2016

ORANGE - Hiker, traveler, salesman, foundry man, reader, Boy Scout Scoutmaster, caregiver, house builder - all describe Thomas A. Harty, 95, who died in Orange on Wednesday, October 5, 2016.
The son of the late Martin C. Harty and Annie B. (Cummings) Harty, he was born in Barre on October 27, 1920. He lived his life with great optimism, enthusiasm, generosity and a spirit of adventure.
One of his favorite quotes was from Henry Ford: "Whether you think you can, or you can't - you're right." He lived his life thinking "I Can" and tried to inspire others to do the same.
Tom Harty, to all who knew him, was a man who redefined the word "elderly." He had a multitude of friends from teenagers to people in their 90s; he was on top of current events, traveled extensively, still worked five days a week, and had several trips planned into the next year or two with family and his beloved hikers.
Tom left school following 8th grade to work at the Charles G. Allen foundry in Barre until 1943 when he enlisted in the United States Navy, serving as an Electrician's Mate during WWII. He was honorably discharged in 1946. Eventually, he earned his G.E.D in the early 1960s.
For 32 years, he worked for the Rodney Hunt Machine Company as a molder, foundry foreman, foundry superintendent and salesman. Following his retirement he began a new career as a salesman of nuts, bolts and tools for Donbeck Sales, a company he started in 1987. He continued to drive to customers throughout western Massachusetts until the day of his death.
Tom was best known for his 30 year love affair with the Grand Canyon. What began as a solo hike to the bottom of the canyon has become a group of 20 people, hiking twice a year down to Phantom Ranch and back to the rim. He took great pleasure in sharing the excitement of these trips with his family and wide circle of friends, all who coveted a place on "the list" to accompany him. His last hike to the bottom with them was at the age of 94, but he continued to run trips and stayed at the rim.
His hiking career began in 1927 with his first climb up Mount Monadnock. He climbed the mountain hundreds of times, every month of the year. That led to his climbing all the 4,000 foot peaks in New England, walking the length of the Long Trail from the Canadian border to North Adams, Mass. with his son and ten-year-old grandson and completing the Appalachian Trail when he was 75, using the trail name T.O.M (The Old Man). For the last 15 years, Tom has been the oldest hiker to summit Mount Greylock in the annual Columbus Day Greylock Ramble.
He was scoutmaster for many years of Troop 40 Boy Scouts in Orange, bringing the boys on many trips including, Washington D.C., New York and Montreal world fairs, Yellowstone National Park and, finally, Europe.
One of his passions was sponsoring Athol YMCA memberships for children of single parents, who otherwise would not be able to go to the "Y". He wanted every child to have the opportunity to shine and this was his way of helping some of them to do it.
In recent years he became a loyal fan of the Mahar Girl's Basketball Team, attending most every game, home or away.
He was a member of the South Athol United Methodist Church, and was an active member of the men's club.
Tom is survived by his wife, Joanna Fisher, children Janice Lanou (Carlton) of Orange, Thomas E. Harty (Gail) of Athol, Kathleen Harty (Ed Liukkonen) of Templeton and Donald Harty (Rebecca) of Epsom, New Hampshire; grandchildren, Karen Herk, Eric, Derric, Laura and Sam Harty; great grandchildren, Matthew and Andrew Herk, Shane, Courtney, Cassidy, Brianna, Jacob, and Gabriella Harty; Sierra Gomez and Ashley Richards; great-great grandchildren Mason and Mia Richards; his brothers Martin and John Harty and many nieces and nephews, including his nephew Jack Harty to whom he was especially close.
He also leaves his stepsons, Larry Fisher of Orange, Richard Fisher (Ely) of Bourne, his step daughters Kathleen Koonz (Dennis) of Orange and Lucinda Costa (Jon) of Athol; step grandchildren Nathan Fisher (Brieanna), Matt Fisher and fiancee' Brittney Regan, Zachary Fisher (Jenna), Oliver Fisher, Robert Koonz (Jenny) and Steven Koonz; great-granddaughters Maydison Fisher and Krystina Barber.
He was predeceased by his first wife, Winifred (Flagg) Harty, sisters Mary Kelley and Rita Gionet, grandson Brian Lanou and step daughter-in-law Luann Fisher.
To continue Tom's legacy of providing financial help for YMCA memberships to area children, donations can be sent to Athol Area YMCA, Tom Harty "Let Them Shine Fund," 545 Main Street, Athol, MA 01331.
An open house celebration of Tom's life will be held on Saturday, November 12 from 2 to 5 p.m. at Hartman's Herb Farm, 1026 Old Dana Road, Barre, MA
Witty's Funeral Home, 158 South Main Street, Orange, is directing the arrangements.