Seeley, Thomas O. ALBANY Thomas O. Seeley, age 90, passed peacefully into the hands of the Lord on Friday, December 11, 2009, at the Teresian House Nursing Home in Albany, after a long and full life. Born in 1919, he was the first child of Mary Miller and Thomas B. Seeley. Tom was predeceased by his wife of 64 years, Eleanor McGuire Seeley; by a daughter, Theresa; by a sister, Agnes Patten Bell; and by a brother, William. He is survived by his brother, George (Carol) Seeley of Guilderland, N.Y. and by his nine children: Thomas (Florie) of Olive Branch, Miss.; James (Joan) of Ballston Lake, N.Y.; Mary of East Berne, N.Y.; Sister Anne Seeley, CND, of Staten Island, N.Y.; Francis (Linda) of Wittman, Ariz.; Joseph (Louise) of Clifton Park, N.Y.; Margaret "Lea" (Mike) Bosquez of Ballston Lake, N.Y.; Elizabeth (Dennis Gary) of Malta, N.Y.; and Catherine (Mark) Torpey of Tucson, Ariz. Tom would not rest if we didn't mention, by name, all of his 13 adoring grandchildren: Donna Alexander, Thomas Seeley, Jessica Seeley, Sean Seeley, Brook Seeley, Michael Seeley, Shannon Henley, Shane Seeley, Luke Seeley, Daniel Seeley, Elena Bosquez, Brittany Bosquez and Codi Bosquez. Tom also is survived by seven great-grand-children, many nieces and nephews and several treasured cousins. "Uncle Tom" will be missed especially by his frequent visitor and niece, Debbie Seeley.
A proud Irishman and a native of Schenectady, Tom graduated from St. Joseph's Academy and he was a lifelong communicant of St. Joseph's Church. During World War II, he was a US Army infantryman, serving in Germany. After the war, Tom worked his way up to become the sales manager, then the vice-president and, ultimately, the general manager of Schenectady radio station WSNY. Following his career in radio, Tom then served as the vice-president of Kellert Advertising Agency, in Albany, for 15 years. Before retiring in 1984, Tom created and managed an in-house advertising agency at the Pepsi-Cola Bottlers in Latham. Tom had been an active member of the Knights of Columbus (Council 201), the Chamber of Commerce, the Lions Club and Toastmasters International. He enjoyed reading books to the blind on RISE Radio and he also was a frequent and popular Communion Breakfast speaker throughout the local area. Tom was particularly proud to have been a Third Order Carmelite all of his adult life. All of his family and many of his friends appreciated, and were entertained by, Tom's great musical artistry, which he expressed through both his natural singing voice and his sensitive way with a piano. When he was asked recently whether he'd rather walk again or play the piano again, Tom remarked, "Well, most people can walk, but few can play the piano!" Tom enjoyed "slipping the surly bonds of earth," whether in the front seat of an open-cockpit biplane, or in a hot air balloon, or chatting with the flight crew of the Concorde (as part of the 1987 ESAM air show in Glenville) while flying at 1,300 mph over the Atlantic Ocean! From the first time he took his family to York Beach, Maine, the New England seacoast became Tom's second home. He and Eleanor loved their frequent "mini-vacations" to the Gloucester, Rockport, Hampton Beach and Wells Beach areas. In his later years, Tom enjoyed the peace, quiet and beauty of the coast while visiting with his extended family on many vacations at Quonochontaug ("Quonnie"), R.I. at the CND's Villa Margarita. Tom would want to wish you all of the best as he reflected on a life well-lived, with much loved family and friends, even as he passed on to eternal life with his Creator - who was the focus and center of every day of his life. Tom felt blessed to share time with everyone he met, especially the wonderful staff and residents at the Teresian House.
Because Tom donated his body to help improve the lives of those he leaves behind, there will not be a burial service. A Mass of the Resurrection will be offered at St. Joseph's Church, 600 State St., Schenectady on Saturday, December 19 at 11:00 a.m., preceded by a calling hour there at 10:00 a.m. A memorial Mass will be offered in the Chapel at the Teresian House, 200 Washington Avenue Extension, Albany, at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, December 28. The family will host a hospitality reception immediately following each service. Memorial contributions may be made to the Congregation of Notre Dame's "Quonnie Fund," c/o Sister Anne Seeley, CND, 237 Pelton Ave., Staten Island, NY 10310, or to the Teresian House in Albany.
Published in the Albany Times Union from 12/16/2009 - 12/18/2009
Published in The Daily Gazette Co. from December 16 to December 18, 2009
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