Thomas Glen Rhodes

Thomas Glen Rhodes of Saratoga Springs went home peacefully to the Lord on March

14, 2026 after a years' long battle with Parkinson's Disease.

He was 77; born July 2,1948 to Thomas J. Rhodes Jr. and Helen Rhodes (nee Cook).

He was a lifelong resident of the Saratoga Springs area where he attended the Bethesda Episcopal

Church and graduated from Saratoga Springs High School. He went on to earn a

bachelor's degree from Union College and a master's degree from SUNY Albany.

Outside of work, he had lifelong interests in trains, boats and roller coasters. His interest

in trains began before kindergarten when his dad set up his first Lionel train layout on a

4x8 sheet of plywood in the basement. He belonged to at least two train clubs in the

Saratoga area where he formed lasting friendships. His love for trains also provided an

employment opportunity working as a dispatcher for the former D&H railroad. As a

young man he built a steamboat named the Tuscarora from scratch that he sailed on

Lake George. In later years, he and his wife Donna traveled the USA in search of

innovative and historic roller coasters chasing the thrill of the ride and the nostalgia they

carried. It didn't stop there, as a mechanical engineer, he also designed roller coasters.

Together, Tom and Donna also enjoyed ballroom and swing dancing.

Tom is survived by two stepsons, Steven Patterson and his wife Christina of Colonie, and Scott Patterson

of Altamont. He is also survived by nine loving maternal cousins who live in various

locations around New York and the United States. Tom was predeceased by his parents

and his wife who he adored, Donna Lee Rhodes (nee Burton).

There will be a memorial service in June. When finalized, the date and time will be updated.

In lieu of cards and flowers, please consider a donation to either

Trinity Health, The Community Hospice, 445 New Karner Rd., Albany, NY 12205-3809

or the Mohawk Hudson Humane Society, 3 Oakland Ave., Menands, NY 12204 in the

name of Thomas Rhodes.