Thomas O'Connor

Delmar - Thomas William O'Connor passed onto eternal life on January 4, 2013. He was born in Albany, NY on July 4, 1928, son of the late John and Mary O'Connor both of Ireland. Educated in Albany and a graduate of the State University of New York, he served with distinction in the US Navy during the Korean Conflict. Employed by the State Bank of Albany, and Blue Cross/Blue Shield he then accepted a position with the State of New York, Office of General Services, to install and manage the first centralized computer system for the State of New York. At the request of then Governor Nelson Rockefeller, he assisted Arkansas Governor Winthrop Rockefeller, in establishing a computer system for that state. Thomas served as Deputy Commissioner of the Office of General Services and as Deputy State Comptroller during his three decade employment with the State. For twenty years he taught accounting and computer programming at Russell Sage College. An avid golfer, he owned and developed Tall Timbers Country Club in Slingerlands, until its sale in 1980. An advocate for those with developmental disabilities, Thomas served on the New York State Board of Visitors for the Office of Persons with Developmental Disabilities. He also served on the Board of Kenwood Academy of the Sacred Heart. His love of antique and British sports cars led him to become one of the early presidents of the Automobilist of the Upper Hudson Valley Car Club. HIs greatest contribution to New York car enthusiasts was the creation of "historical" designation license plates for antique vehicles. An avid Morgan Motor Car fan he lobbied the Nixon administration and coordinated with General Motors Corp. to install GM EPA compliant engines into Morgan automobiles, facilitating their re-entry into the US marketplace. Thomas' greatest attribute was being a compassionate and loving husband and family man. His expectations, high ideals and morals will never be lost. The loving husband of Patricia Sullivan O'Connor for 62 years, he is the beloved father of Thomas (Catherine) William O'Connor, Jr. of Guilderland, Susan O'Connor of Delmar and Timothy O'Connor of Clifton Park. He is also survived by his sister Mary Gibbs and several nieces and nephews. The family would like to thank the staff at Delmar Place, the Eddy Village Green Cohoes and Beverwyck for their care during his courageous battle with Parkinso n's disease. Those who wish may make memorial contributions to Saratoga Bridges ARC, 16 Saratoga Bridges Blvd., Ballston Spa, NY 12020 Relatives and friends are invited to call at the Applebee Funeral Home, 403 Kenwood Avenue, Delmar, Monday from 4 to 7pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday at 9:30am it the Church of St. Thomas the Apostle, 35 Adams Place, Delmar. Interment will follow the Mass in Albany Rural Cemetery, Menands.