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Thomas F. McGraw

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Hudson Valley Community College

Thomas McGraw Obituary

McGraw, Thomas F. ALBANY Thomas F. McGraw died at peace in his home on Wednesday, September 26, 2007. At the time of his death, he was 64 years old. Born in Albany, he was the son of the late Thomas F. McGraw Jr. and Kathryn Shields McGraw. Tom graduated from Cardinal McClosky High School in 1961 and attended Hudson Valley Community College for accounting. For 40 years, Tom was a member and officer of International Union of Operating Engineers Local 106. He was known for his affable good-natured ways and sense of humor. Tom was an avid NY sports fan, ever cheering on his Yankees and Giants. Tom's life was filled with family and friends. He is especially remembered by the Ocean City Ten, the Harlequin Players, his Lakeside Village family and his twin Ray King of Fla. He was a high school basketball superstar known as "Quick Draw McGraw" and at Hudson Valley Community College. Tom was inducted into the Bishop Maginn Sports Hall of Fame in 2004. His secret passion in school was playing baseball. He was noted for his play at first base and his hitting, but not for his running! "Once a friend always a friend" was Tom's motto as reflected in the many friendships he maintained throughout his life. Tom is survived by his wife and dear friend, Mabel Maguire McGraw; his son, Thomas J. McGraw; stepdaughters, Margaret Maguire (Eladio) and Anne Maguire Patterson (Joe); his sister Kathleen King (Jack). He was predeceased by his sister, Maureen McGraw. He is Big Grandpa Tom to Liam and Cara Patterson. The family would like to thank all the hospice workers for their wonderful caring support. Funeral services will be Saturday morning at 8:15 at New Comer-Cannon Family Funeral Home, 343 New Karner Rd., Colonie (Rt. 155-south of Central Ave.) then to the Church of Saint Clare at 9:00 where the Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated. Calling hours will be Friday from 4 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home. Interment will be in Memory's Garden. At the request of the family, memorial contributions in Tom's memory are suggested to Community Hospice of Albany, 445 New Karner Rd., Albany, NY 12205 or American Cancer Society, 260 Osborne Rd., Loudon-ville, NY 12211. To leave a message for the family online, visit NewcomerFamily.com

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Albany Times Union on Sep. 28, 2007.

Memories and Condolences
for Thomas McGraw

14 Entries

Sue Rafalak

October 8, 2007

Mabel-
I am so sorry about your loss.I believe that Tom is in a place more wonderful than we can imagine. Please let me know if there is anything I can do for you.

Tom & Sandy Chillemi

October 6, 2007

Kate & Jack:

We were sorry to hear of your loss. We send our deepest sympathy.

Elaine Berkun

October 4, 2007

Mabel,
I am sorry for your loss. I hope the memories you have will help you in the days ahead. Take care of yourself.

Denise Hamer

October 3, 2007

Mabel and family,
My thoughts are with you. Memories and cherished times laughing together are many and will always be there to comfort you. God bless.

Judy (Valente) Paluba

October 3, 2007

It is a joy to know Tom had a part in filling someone else's heart with the things that are a reflection of God's goodness and His steadfast love. With my deepest sympathy of your loss.

Lori & Cory Reynolds

October 1, 2007

Tommy and Family, We are so sorry for your great loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.

Margaret Maguire

October 1, 2007

Tom,

You were and will always remain my hero. I am so blessed to have had the time I had to spend with you when you became very ill. My heart aches and I miss you so but you will forever remain in my heart. I Love You.

Joe and Ann Bonacci

September 30, 2007

The world is diminished today because Tom is no longer with us. In the course of life we are lucky to meet a special person who is sensitive yet strong, clever and caring, bright and loving. A true and steadfast friend and a joy to be with. Tom was all these things and more. He lit up a room with his smile and wit.

Our hearts ache because we can no longer see him and hear his voice but we are grateful to have seen and heard him. We are sad because we can no longer share Yankee games, horse races and sunbathing on the beach with him, yet we are lucky that we were able to do these things.

Our love and support to Mabel. She was incredibly strong and loving to Tom and shared with him a most wonderful relationship.

God bless you Tom - we feel your spitit around us and you make us smile.

Joselyn Gonzalez

September 29, 2007

Although we never had the pleasure of meeting Tom we know that he was a wonderful person through the stories of Maggie and Eladio and our hearts go out to his family and friends. Our prayers are with all of you.
Love,
The Gonzalez and Matjucha Families

william traynor

September 29, 2007

tom, so sorry for your loss. my deepest sympathies.

FATHER YOUNG

September 29, 2007

AS TOM'S TEACHER AT McCLOSKEY H.S. I ADMIRED HIM AS ONE OF OUR MOST OUTSTANDNG EXAMPLES OF STUDENT AND ATHLETE. WE NEED MORE HARD WORKING PEOPLE LIKE TOM TO CARRY ON HIS TRADITION TO HELP OTHERS.

Philip Donnelly

September 28, 2007

It is with great sorrow that i write this note to Tom's family.He was a really great guy and I shall always remember his smile.You are in our prayers.

Your Friends Dan & Cindy

September 28, 2007

Our hearts are heavy at the thought of a world without Tom.
Our hearts are sad when we realize the sound of his voice is from our memory or from memorex ...
Our hearts leap for joy as memories of Tom emerge into our consciousness .... memories of Tom's humor and his caring ...of his feats of love and of his feats of daring ... and then turn to tears at trying to imagine a world without Tom's smile or his hand out streched offering comfort or help ... or the twinkle in Tom's eye showing us a secret or pointing our a special moment that only he has seen.

Our hearts send out our love to Mabel.
We reach out our arms and hands to comfort and support her.
We send our prayers to to lift her spirit and to nourish her soul.
We promise to continue to tell our stories of Tom and Mabel and their loving and cherished relationship ..... and to keep Tom alive in the only place that cannot die ... in our hearts and in our memories.

If you are quiet and still and if your eyes are misting a bit like mine are now, Tom can be seen walking hand and hand with Mabel on the Board Walk of Life, the taste the mint juleps can be sensed on you lips, the smell of Tom's famous sausages is waifing up from the grill, and the announcer can be heard yelling, "The Yankees Win .... T..h..e Yankees Win ..", you can feel Tom's embrace and know that he has made it home.

With gratitude for your friendship and for you in our lives ...

Agnes Betz

September 28, 2007

Will always remember his very warm,caring and lovable smile.

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