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Thomas J. Fairchild Sr.
Thomas J. Fairchild Sr.
Obituary
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Thomas Fairchild Obituary
"Tom," as he was affectionately and widely known throughout the area, was born in Susquehanna, Pa. on April 1, 1922, the son of C. Myer and Ella Fitzgerald Fairchild. He began working at an early age and on Sept. 8, 1942 Tom enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps. He attained the rank of Staff Sergeant and was serving with the 550th Bomb Squadron, 385th Bomb group as a Ball Turret gunner on his second mission aboard a B-17 when the aircraft was shot down over Berlin, Germany during World War II. Following capture, Tom spent a year imprisoned in a German camp in Kerns, Austria as a prisoner of war. Following completion of his military service on Nov. 2, 1945 and return home to Towanda from the war, Tom worked in his father's hardware store in Towanda for a time and later owned and operated his business, Fairchild's Propane Gas serving the community and surrounding areas for 20 years. After selling his business, Tom became involved in Bradford County politics and served eight years as Bradford County treasurer and 16 years as Bradford County Sheriff. He retired in 1991 after serving the county for 45 years which he enjoyed very much. In retirement, Tom continued being an enthusiastic active community and political supporter to many and enjoyed the many friendships he made over the years. Tom was a member of Ss. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, Towanda, served as a board member and volunteer ambulance driver for the Towanda Ambulance Association for 20 years, a board member for the Endless Mountains Transportation Authority, and was a member of the Towanda Elks Lodge No. 2191. He was a life member of Towanda American Legion Post No. 42, member of Beirne-Webster VFW Post 1568, Towanda, Towanda Country Club, Bradford County Republican Party, Pennsylvania Sheriffs Association and was a past member of the Bridge Street Hill Rod and Gun Club.
He is survived by his children, Thomas Fairchild Jr. of Towanda, Timothy Fairchild and wife Debra of Wysox, Terry Fairchild and wife Danise of Wyalusing, Sally Fairchild-Vaughn of Towanda, Michael Fairchild and Jeanine of Dover, Del., Donald Fairchild and wife Eileen of Southport, N.Y., Denise Fairchild-Lambert and husband Leo of Dushore; 16 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, several nieces, nephews, cousins and his friend, Jean Crawford of Athens.
In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by sisters and brothers-in-law, Anne and Claude VanNess, Genevieve and Llewellyn Parsons; brother and sister-in-law, Robert J. and Rita Fairchild; and brother, Richard P. Fairchild.
The family will receive friends from 1 to 3 and 6 to 8 p.m. Monday at the Maryott-Bowen Funeral Home, 217 York Ave., Towanda, Pa. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Tuesday, March 10, 2015 at Ss. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, Third Street, Towanda, Pa. Military honors will be accorded by Towanda American Legion Post No. 42.
Interment will be in Ss. Peter and Paul Cemetery, North Towanda Township, Pa. at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that contributions be directed to St. Agnes School, 102 Third St., Towanda, PA 18848 or to the North Rome Christian School, 3376 North Rome Rd., Rome, PA 18837, in Thomas J. Fairchild Sr.'s memory.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Jacob Hsu
June 21, 2024
That's my great grandpa!
Dan Wagner
January 13, 2024
I have never served under a finer man.
Tom Abell
February 29, 2020
Tom Fairchild, Sr. and Jr., both left this world better than they found it. Together again. We will never forget them. I feel privileged to have know both. The Fairchild Family is in my thoughts at this time of remembrance.
Thomas Fairchild
February 25, 2020
I am the grandson of Thomas J. Fairchild Sr. and I remember meeting him in a shelter home in Towanda, PA and he used to ride on all different sorts of trains I don't know exactly which one's but if he was still alive, he would have loved my model railroad me and my Dad (Michael Fairchild) constructed in 2012. I would still think about him every time when I go back to Towanda to visit my aunt's and uncle's. I miss him very much and I wish I would get to know him more. R.I.P Tom Fairchild in all of my heart.
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Jackie Morel
February 28, 2019
Love thomas and the trips we use to take for a job he had to do. He was a great father inlaw
joanne kutyana koss
March 28, 2015
The Fairchild family, my deepest sympathy in the passing of your father....he was a special man for sure. May he rest in peace.
Jean Schlosser
March 13, 2015
I remember TOM and his family well,i worked for him and Flossie back in 1962 and all the kids were home, what a great and happy home it was, i later worked for his mom and dad at there home, Tom was always the same were ever you ran into him a very frienfly man.he had a great life and will always be remembered.a friend indeed
Donald Burleigh
March 13, 2015
RIP Tom Fairchild you were a dear friend. We spent may hour on Towanda Amb, to gether
Nancy Sharer
March 12, 2015
To the Fairchild family, My parents, Fred and Loretta Coleman, knew Tom well and knew him from working in Towanda many years; also my aunt lived at the PCH too and I saw him there. He was one of the "Greatest Generation" from World War II, to whom we forever owe our gratitude and respect. What a fun person he was to be around, and a dedicated public servant. My condolences to the whole family on the passing of such a special person.
Andrea Rackley
March 12, 2015
Mr.Fairchild had one of those smiles that I will never forget. My prayers for your family.
Ronnie Reider
March 11, 2015
To Tom, Sally and the rest of the family, your father was a wonderful man, and when I did have a chance to say hello we chatted about the military a lot. Tom always had a word of motivation for me. May God be with you all in these days to come.
Mike Moscatello
March 10, 2015
Tom, Tim, Terry and family. You are in my Prayers. Your Dad was a good man.
James hawke
March 10, 2015
Am saddened to hear of Tom's passing, I just heard about it today.I will always treasure the conversations we had together...he will be missed.
Michele Strohl
March 10, 2015
Denise, Donny and family, Please know my thoughts and prayers are with you at this sad time. So sorry to hear of your father's passing. He lived his life well!
John Moyer
March 10, 2015
My deepest sympathy to all of you for your loss. Tom and I go back a long time. When Terry and I were just kids I met Tom and he is one person who you never forget. He always said hi to me when I saw him. Great fellow. RIP Tom
John Mott
March 9, 2015
It was a great pleasure to know him. It was a great honor to have worked with him. He had a great knack for remembering every person's name and for remembering something he or she was interested that they could talk about. He made everyone feel better about themselves. He will be missed and always remembered.
Kerry Spaulding
March 9, 2015
Dear Sally and Fairchild family and friends:
Tom was an amazing man of integrity and public service. I was privileged to know him as both a local businessman and Bradford County Sheriff. I'll never forget Tom's sense of humor during my time as a local police officer in Bradford County especially when we flew together in a charter airplane to extradite a suspected criminal from Ohio. Sheriff Fairchild was a dedicated lawman who also developed a great sense of compassion and consideration for his fellow man.
My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Edmund & Linda Palmieri thall
March 9, 2015
To all Tom's family we're so sorry for your loss. You are in our thoughts and prayers. Always enjoyed running into Tom at Burger King. A wonderful man !
Don & Carolyn Bixby
March 8, 2015
Sally & family, Our sympathy to all at this time. Tom, always referred to me as his barber. Surely he will be missed by many friends.
Vic & Deb Lawson
March 8, 2015
Our deepest sympathy. Tom will be greatly missed.
John & Mary Fedorchak
March 8, 2015
Sincere condolences to Tom's family. As most have already stated, Tom made those he met feel special
Pam Kester-Kneller
March 8, 2015
Fairchild family,
Remembering the good times in Toy Town Tom was a great guy. He will be sadly missed.
Bill Owen
March 8, 2015
To the Fairchild family, So sorry May God be with you at this time of sorrow. you are in my thoughts and prayers.
Bill Owen
Larry & Elaine Elliott
March 8, 2015
Sending our sympathy and prayers to the entire Fairchild families. A very sad time for you all but hoping good memories help you through the days ahead. Warm Regards,
March 8, 2015
Keeping you in our thoughts and prayers at this very sad time.
Tom and Peggy Blanchard
ron hughes
March 8, 2015
My prayers and sympathy to Tom's family,
Tom was a great guy who touched so many people in his life from the young to the old. Tom truly shared himself his time, his treasure and his talent. As others have alluded to on this guest book Towanda has definitly lost an icon and a role model and his loss will leave a void. I had the pleasure of knowing him as a pastor and as a friend who always seemed to be there for others in how he shared who he was freely.
May his memory live on in Towanda and surrounding area and may all he came into contact be better for having known and pay it forward.
May you his family and his friends and the community of Towanda be comforted by your faith and the faith Tom believed in that death is not the end but a new begging for Tom. Tom now is seated at the heavenly banquet with Jesus as the host surrounded by the angels and saints and all hi deceased loved ones. Heaven is our true home so Tom is now at peace and at home.
May our Faith and our precious memories of Tom give us the Peace that only Christ can give.
I am sorry I cannot attend the viewing or the funeral mass because i have no transportation. I will offer mass for Tom the day of his funeral
May the soul of Tom and the souls of all the faithfully departed rest in peace. Christ's peace , love and blessings,
fr. ron hughes
former pastor at Sts Peter and Paul
Dottie Seeley
March 7, 2015
To the family of Tom Fairchild,
You can always be proud to know just how much people respected and cared about him.
Tom Fairchild is one of most historical people to the history of Towanda and Bradford County.
Tina Lasco
March 7, 2015
So sorry to hear of the loss of Tom. We have known Tom and family our whole lives. We had really great times at Hornbrook Park ( now better known as Larnards Park). All the story telling and adventures with the Jim & Louise Moore camp, June & Tom Higley family, Howard Lantz family & the Don & Polly Shellard family. May you RIP Donnie Shellard & Tina Lasco
Brenda
March 7, 2015
Although I never knew you, I feel as if I met you. Your daughter spoke so much about you with love and admiration. Rest in Peace and know you'll be missed by your family.
Kathry LeStrange
March 7, 2015
So sorry about your dad. I know that he will be dearly missed. Always remember those virtues that he told you when your were growing up.
March 7, 2015
Dear Fairchild Family - Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. Tom was a very special person and will be greatly missed. With Sincere Condolences, Ava, Cody, @ Ricky Tunnicliff and Betty Otis Hillis
Ed and Barbara Ulatowski
March 7, 2015
We will miss Tom, who always made everyone he met, feel special. He was an icon in Towanda and Bradford County. May he rest in much-deserved peace. Our sincere sympathy to all of his family.
Helen Wilcox
March 7, 2015
Jim and I send our sincerest thoughts to all. He was a great friend to our family for many years and will be missed by many. Live to you all.
Dennis Kuykendall
March 7, 2015
My sympathy to the Fairchild family. Tom was a wonderful person. My thoughts are with you.
Barb & Ray Brown
March 7, 2015
Sorry for your loss.
Lois Klotz
March 7, 2015
Tom was an honest and straight up man...He treated everyone fairly.. So sorry to see he has passed. Prayers to his family.
sue mullen
March 7, 2015
so sorry for your loss denise and family
Kay Fairchild Hamlin
March 7, 2015
I'm so sorry to read about Tom's death. He was a very special cousin and friend to all of our family. I always enjoyed stopping in and visiting with him whenever I was back in Towanda. He would always tell me stories about our family. I will miss him. You all are in my thoughts and prayers.
Amber Cook
March 6, 2015
He is already so missed! He always went out of his way to tell me that I was doing a good job,and he made everyone he talked to feel as if they were the most important person in the room. I absolutely loved my trips with my very own local celebrity, he always made it more fun! I will miss you Tom! I was blessed to have known you!
Ron Dieffenbach
March 6, 2015
Tom was a person that help me to believe that my future was up to me. I did not have to keep on a wrong path. He saw me not so much as what I was, but what I could become. I told him one day that I was going to college and he ask me how. How would you be able to pay for it? I told him that my Father owned the cattle on a thousand hills. He than told me "you are for real." I really praise the Lord for Tom and will miss him very much. RIP
March 6, 2015
My heart goes out to all of you. He was such a special person. I always enjoyed our talks.
May God comfort you in your time of sadness, Marilyn Markish
crystal clark thomas
March 6, 2015
Thinking of all of you.
John & Betty Tomaszewicz
March 6, 2015
So sorry for your loss. He was such a special person. We will keep him in our thoughts and prayers.
John and Betty Tomaszewicz
March 6, 2015
Our prayers are with you at this time of your sorrow May he rest in peace theresa and Pat Bloomer Nokomis Floridia
Les and Elaine Sheridan
March 6, 2015
Our sincere sympathy on your loss. Tom was such a presence. Humor, dedication, patriotism, love for his kids - the whole bundle.
He will be missed.
Diane Gates Hagadorn
March 6, 2015
My deepest sympathy to all the Fairchild family. I have many fond memories growing up in Toytown. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.
March 6, 2015
I had and have great admiration for Tom; it was a joy and an education to spend time with Tom. Tom could always remember the names and the particulars of just about everybody and could always find something good to say.
Tom has our prayers.
Bob Ryan, Medjugorje, Bosnia
Janice Walsh
March 6, 2015
Keeping you and your family in my thoughts and prayers.
Matt Hilscher and Family
March 6, 2015
As the days and weeks pass, and as you return to life's routine, may you continue to feel comforted by the love and support of family and friends.
Randy Greeno
March 6, 2015
Tom help me a lot going to miss him.
Martha Jane McDonald
March 6, 2015
To the Fairchild family. So sorry to read about Tom. He was a great, honorable man, he is gone but will not be forgotten.
God bless each of you.
Sincerely, Martha Jane McDonald
Tom Abell
March 6, 2015
To the Fairchild Family,
A legend has passed. I know of no individual that was more well known than your Dad. I met him in 1967 at the age of 17 at my great grandfather's funeral. He had a long, wonderful life and left us all with great memories. Rest in peace Tom Fairchild---you've earned it.
Charles and Christine Shearer
March 6, 2015
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
kenneth & nancy owlett
March 6, 2015
what a grand man. it seems like he knew everyone in bradford county and he will be sadly missed. may god bless your family
Bill and Lois Brutzman
March 6, 2015
A great person who was familiar and a friend to every family in Bradford County.
Samuel Howe
March 6, 2015
Tom was a great man and will be missed by everyone..Thoughts and prayers for his family at this time.
Christina Fleury
March 6, 2015
Sally, please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you. I know your daddy meant the world to you, and he will be dearly missed. As a woman of faith, you know that he was born into eternal life on Thursday, and he is now more alive than we, who were temporarily left behind. Just a blink of time in eternity, and we will be together again in heaven. In the meantime, we will miss him, as we continue to pray, Eternal rest grant unto him, oh Lord, and Let perpetual light shine upon him. May he, and may all the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
Bobby McCracken
March 6, 2015
Sorry to hear of the passing of Tom. Prayers to the family.
jackie (collins) morel
March 6, 2015
god bless him,i remember him fondly. love to the family
jackie (collins) morel
March 6, 2015
god bless him he was a wonderful person. I remember my times with him as an inlaw. my love to his family
Claire Holton-Lizon
March 6, 2015
Thoughts and prayers are with you all in your loss of Tom.
He was a good man and well liked.
Always spoke and smiled when you ran into him anywhere in town.
With deepest sympathy,
Carol Beirne
March 6, 2015
Sorry about Tom. He had a good life and a wonderful family. He is now in
God's hands.
Grandpa with my first child. He was so proud.
March 6, 2015
William Vandebogart
March 6, 2015
Thinking and praying for the Fairchild family in your time of sorrow. Tom often stopped by to ask of my mother and the family. He served Bradford county honorably.
Connie Brown & family
March 6, 2015
Tom, you may be gone - but you will NEVER be forgotten.
Chuck Bullock
March 6, 2015
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
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217 York Avenue, Towanda, PA 18848
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