Thomas Francis Hornbach

Thomas Francis Hornbach, 74, of Saratoga Springs, NY went to be with the lord on December 9, 2025. He passed away peacefully at home in his sleep after a long illness.

As his grandson Charlie says he was like a cat with 9 lives - narrowly escaping death at 16 after severe car crash, a stroke in his 50s, followed by small cell lung cancer in his 60s - each experience changing the evolution of his life and the way in which he lived. He had a strong will to live, a love of people, and a desire to take on the world whole regardless of his limitations.

Born to Charles Joseph Hornbach, Jr. and Josephine Hornbach on May 22, 1951, in Indianapolis, Indiana; the fourth of their nine children. Tom's early years were spent in Indianapolis until he moved with his family to Guilderland, New York at age 7. He enjoyed his youth with his brothers, sisters and good friends by his side, especially his older brother John who always did his best to look out for him.

A firecracker in his youth, he made friends easily through his varied interests, often off-color humor, restless nature, and empathetic heart. He drove his parents and siblings nutty with his antics from breaking into ice cream stores because he felt like a milkshake to knocking out his teeth by stepping on a rake so he had to repeat 1st grade. He loved exploring the natural landscape in Guilderland, the Adirondacks and Cuttyhunk - climbing trees, finding arrowheads, and getting into any mischief he could find.

He was a 1970 graduate of Guilderland High School and received a B.A. in Education, Geography and Earth Sciences from SUNY Brockport with varied stints at SUNY Plattsburgh and University of Oregon. He was an avid wrestler and co-captain of the varsity soccer team in high school, making several lifelong friends. He was a natural leader and engaged in many clubs, including the Russian Club through which they raised money to visit Russia in 1969. This sparked a lifelong love of travel and a desire to see and participate in the cultures of the world.

Tommy was one-of-a-kind. He was unabashedly himself, defied containment, and meant different things to the friends and loved ones who knew him throughout his life. Not one to be burdened by labels, he lived a life full of hope and impulse - ready for good things to happen but sometimes getting in over his head. emotionally or otherwise

Tom was a generous friend with an uncanny ability to connect with people. He loved to tell stories to strangers and friends alike. Consistent only in being (endearingly) annoying to his family by teaching us lessons through tales of our long-lost sister Suzy who died before we were born by playing in traffic, and other semi-good-natured trickery, like insisting our family was descendants of Johann Sebastian Bach's brother who excelled at the horn.

He was happiest as the center of attention with an engaged audience. Therefore, he found his calling in teaching children and inmates alike. Upon graduation from college he moved to Brazil with his wife to teach and became a headmaster at the Escola America in Porto Alegre. His students, their families, and his colleagues were enamored with him; never having met someone so irreverent and full of life. He taught in schools before transitioning to working for the State of New York and teaching at Great Meadow and Washington Correctional Facilities. Befriending incarcerated New Yorkers and co-workers alike in a way only he could do and staying in touch with many until his death. He ran AIDS public health programs, helped many obtain their GEDs before finally working as a Recreation Director and starting up a soccer program for the inmates. Upon retirement, he made more lifelong friends walking his dogs in the woods near Skidmore. They loved to explore nature, get coffee, and take in music and art together.

He loved exploring the world through travel and learning about different cultures. He traveled through much of Europe after high school graduation and throughout most of South America alongside his wife during the political upheaval of the 1970's and 80's. He later enjoyed traveling with his son, Kevin on many hiking adventures and with other family members through South America and the wilderness of Canada. A highlight in his last years was a vacation with his family to the Dominican Republic, which is remembered as the best time ever by his grandchildren. A highlight of his last year was going to Great Wolf Lodge with his grandkids, wife and son. He, Declan, and Charlie leaned into howling as a pack, swimming and going down slides without the supervision of their parents. Above all, Tom loved making friends with everyone and making people laugh. He was good at both. With these skills, he was a great friend to many and enriched the lives of those that had the fortune to know him.

The ongoing presence of his loving wife, Patricia, who helped through all the phases of his life, was his most significant and enduring partnership. He loved his family and instilled the values they will carry forward through their lives - hard work, playfulness, kindness, and a commitment to seeing everyone as the multifaceted people they are.

He is survived by his loving wife of 48 years, Patricia Lynn Hornbach; three children: Kevin Hornbach of Saratoga Springs, NY, Kirsten Glynn (Matthew) of Boston, Massachusetts, Celeste Hornbach (Jake) of Brooklyn, NY; his siblings Janice Neighmond, John Hornbach, Paul Hornbach, Ellen Kellogg (John), and Michael Hornbach (Deb); his adored and adoring two grandchildren, Charlie and Declan Glynn; his siblings-in-law Kathleen Hutson, Theresa Hutson, and Thomas Hutson (Judy) who were always there to support him throughout the many years. He leaves behind many nieces, nephews, and cousins with whom he shared fond memories. He is pre-deceased by his mother and father, his mother and father and law Arthur and Audrey Hutson, his beloved siblings Charles Joseph "Joe" Hornbach III, Carl Hornbach, Mary Hornbach, and siblings-in-law Gary Neighmond and Nancy Hornbach.

A gathering to honor and celebrate Tom will be held on Saturday, January 10th at 10am at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Saratoga Springs at 624 North Broadway Saratoga Springs, NY 12866, followed by a reception at 11:30am at the Italian American War Veterans Hall at 247 Grand Ave, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866. We invite family and friends to join us in remembering and celebrating his life.