Thomas F. Harkin

Harkin, Thomas F. WATERVLIET Thomas Francis Harkin, age 93, beloved husband of the late Helen J. Buzby Harkin and former longtime resident of Port Schuyler, died on Sunday, July 24, 2011 at his home in Placida, Fla. surrounded by his loving family. Born in New Haven, Conn., he was the son of the late Thomas P. and Margaret J. Falsey Harkin. He attended New Haven schools and George Washington University in Washington D.C. before enlisting in the U.S. Army Air Corps. He was a veteran of World War II, serving with the 376 Bomb Group of the U.S. Army Air Corps attaining the rank of sergeant. While returning from a bombing mission of the Ploesti Oil Fields in Romania, his plane was shot down over Bulgaria and he was taken prisoner. Mr. Harkin remain a POW until the end of the war. After the war, he became a food broker and worked at that occupation his whole life. He was a longtime communicant of St. Brigid's Roman Catholic Church in Port Schuyler, a longtime member of the Troy Country Club, member of the Watervliet Elks 1500, member of the Watervliet Knights of Columbus and a member of VFW Post 729 in Watervliet. Survivors include his children, Thomas P. (Gisela) Harkin of Fairfax, Va., Kathleen (Gerry) Getman of Pittsburg, Jean M. Harkin of Placida, John M. Harkin of Wynantskill and Peter W. (Marianne) Harkin of New York City; 12 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; a sister, Margaret Shockly of Killing-worth, Conn., and several nieces and nephew. He was predeceased by a brother, Joseph Harkin. The funeral will be private. There are no calling hours. A memorial Mass celebrating Tom's life will be held at St. Jude the Apostle Church, Wynantskill, on Saturday, July 30, 2011 at 10 a.m. with Rev. Anthony Ligato, pastor, officiating. In lieu of flowers, please donate in Tom's memory to the Tidewell Hospice, 12034 N. Access Rd., Port Charlotte, FL 33981.