THOMAS J. GAIR

1917 - 2017

GAIR, Thomas J. 99, formerly of Cedar Lane in Glenville, passed away at the home of his daughter in Plantation Florida on January 22, 2017 with his daughter and son-in-law by his side. Tom was born on November 16, 1917 in Somerville, MA, the son of the late Richard and Josephine Gair. He graduated from Dorchester Boy's High School in Boston. He later met Mary Lawler and they were married on August 30, 1941 at St. Peter's Roman Catholic Church in Dorchester, MA. Tom was transferred by G.E. from Boston to Schenectady in 1956. Tom and Mary moved to Glenville at that time.

Tom graduated from Boston College in 1940 with a BS in Chemistry. He enlisted in the US Naval Reserve in 1940 and entered active duty for WWII in 1941. During the war, he served as an officer on minesweepers protecting the homeland shores off the coast of Massachusetts and California. In addition, as a Lt. Commander, he was placed in charge of the Philippine island of Homonhon with 25 officers, 250 sailors as well as Filipino soldiers under his command. After WWII, he continued his career in the Naval Reserve, retiring with the rank of Commander in 1977. While in the Reserve, he returned to Boston College to earn an MS in chemistry on the GI Bill.

Tom joined General Electric in 1950 as a Metallurgical Chemist. He was also a Chemical Development Engineer in G.E.'s Thompson Laboratory and an Insulation Engineer in the medium AC Motor Department where he developed a new silicone rubber insulation system. Tom was a member of the American Chemical Society and the American Institute of Electrical Engineers and at one time served as the chairman of the AIEE Group on Insulation for Rotating Machinery.

Before joining the navy, Tom played semi-pro baseball for the Braintree White Sox. In 1938, he tried out for the Boston Red Sox as a pitcher.

Tom was an avid, self taught golfer with a 4 handicap. His love of the game was passed on to all his children. As a member of the Edison Club in Rexford for more than 50 years, Tom participated in Scratch League and the Master's. Tom scored 2 holes-in one during his many years of playing golf.

Tom was predeceased by his wife of nearly 70 years, Mary, his daughter, Patricia Gair and grandson, Sean Gair.

He leaves behind his sons, Thomas J. Gair, Jr. (Margaret), of Georgetown, TX, Robert F. Gair (Mary), of Mt. Pleasant, SC, Stephen P. Gair (Maura), of Peachtree City, GA and Richard C. Gair of Medfield, MA, and daughter, Marianne Scott (Paul) of Plantation, FL. Tom is survived also by his grandchildren: Kenneth, Brian, Michael and Thomas Gair III and Alexis Lopez (Domingo), Danielle Lowe (Kevin), Christopher and Allison Gair, and Shannon, Kelly and Colleen Gair; 11 great grandchildren, 1 great, great grandchild, and many dear friends.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, February 16th at 9:15 am from the Glenville Funeral Home, 9 Glenridge Rd., GLENVILLE, NY, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 am at the Church of the Immaculate Conception, 400 Saratoga Rd. (Rte 50), Glenville, with Rev. Richard A. Carlino officiating. Relatives and Friends are cordially invited to attend and may call at the Glenville Funeral Home, Wednesday (February 15th), from 4 -7 PM.

Memorials may be made in Tom's name to honor Flight, a non profit organization dedicated to honoring America's veterans for all their sacrifices (www.honorflight.org) or to the American Heart Association.

Online condolences to the Gair Family may be expressed through the funeral home's website at www.glenvillefuneralhome.com.