Thomas A. Galpin

Thomas A. Galpin, a native of Elmira, NY and resident of Ashland, NY passed away on Wednesday, September 24, 2025. He was 76. Born November 14, 1948 to the late William Etman and Viola (Jones) Galpin, Thomas was a graduate of the Elmira Free Academy. Upon graduation he entered into the U.S. Air Force. He dedicated 20 years of service to his country and retired in 1988 as a Master Sergeant. He continued his work in aviation as an electrical technician for the FAA retiring in 2011 after 23 years of service at the Binghamton and Elmira airports.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by: his wife Char (Durfee) Galpin; his son Rex Galpin and wife Julie; his brothers - William Aden Galpin, Larry Galpin, and Mike Galpin and wife Michelle; his sister Mary (Galpin) Haygood; his parents-in-law Raymond and Charlotte (Rosekrans) Durfee; his sisters-in-law - Debbie Galpin, Arlene (Durfee) Schultz, and Marlene (Durfee) Cram; his brother-in-law Terry Durfee; his nieces - Amanda Northrup, Megan Northrup, and Kerrie Galpin; and his nephews - David "Davey" Campbell, and Gary Galpin.

He is survived by: his daughter Joy (Galpin) Brown and husband David; his grandchildren - Justin Michael Brown (Ayla Seymour), Troy Maverick Brown, and Jaycee Elisabeth Brown; his great-grandchildren - Raelynn Marie Brown, Kinsley Elaine Brown, and Savannah Rose Brown; his siblings - Neil Galpin (Kathy), Lucy Giroux (Dexter), Fran Galpin, Pete Galpin, and Marty Galpin (Nikki); his sisters-in-law - JoAn Galpin, Sue Galpin, and Eileen (Durfee) McDonald; his brother-in-law Jim Haygood, Jim Schultz, and Gary Durfee; and many nieces and nephews.

If you knew him, you know there was nothing in this world more important than his daughter, Joy, and the crew that followed—grandkids Justin Michael (Moose)Troy Maverick (Troy Boy or T-Roy) and Jaycee Elisabeth (Jaycee-Girl), and great-grandkids Raelynn Marie (Rae Rae), Kinsley Elaine (Kins), and Savannah Rose (Sassy). He bragged about them more than the Yankees brag about their World Series rings (and that’s saying something). His blue eyes lit up especially when the great-grandgirls were around—probably the only thing brighter than the slot machines at Tioga Downs, which just so happened to be his second happy place.

Sundays meant family dinner, then off to his “happy place” with Joy—Tioga Downs—where an hour of gambling often turned into “don’t ask how late we stayed” or David’s (Elmer) famous line “what did you two ass-hats walk out with” usually always a Captain and Ginger in hand or a black coffee. Golf was his other love/hate relationship—he loved playing, but every tree on every course knew him by name. Honestly, he should have carved his name into one by now.

Back in the day, bowling was his jam—whether he was throwing strikes or just hanging at the alley working part time. And when he wasn’t bowling, you’d catch him glued to the Giants or Yankees, yelling at the TV like they could hear him. He was also a BIG fan of his Jaycee Girl, traveling far and wide for her softball games—basically her unpaid roadie. For his grandsons, he beamed with pride when they joined the service and loved hearing about what Justin was up to and Troy’s adventures on his travels.

This man gave 20 years to the Air Force, 23 to the FAA, and about 40 years to perfecting his bear-hug technique. If he hugged you, you knew it. If he laughed, the whole room knew it. And if you played golf with him, every tree on the back nine knew it. He was loud, loyal, loving, and left an unforgettable mark. He’ll be missed deeply, but if heaven has golf courses and casinos, we know exactly where to find him.

The family would like to thank Dani Counterman, a special niece who took especially good care of him in his later years.

A graveside service with the presentation of military honors will be held on Thursday, October 2, 2025 at 10:00 am at Woodlawn Cemetery, where he will be interred alongside his beloved wife.