Obituary of Thomas I. Thurston

Thomas Irving Thurston, 82, of Vernon Center, NY, passed away peacefully Sunday morning August 3, 2025 with his family by his side after a short battle with cancer.

Born on May 28, 1943, in Utica, NY, to Harold “Mickey” and Isabelle (Timian) Thurston. He was pre-deceased by his sister Joanne Baye in 2021. Tom graduated Clinton Central School in 1963. Tom was drafted into the Army in 1965. He was in charge of the motor pool and served as a paratrooper in the 101st Airborne Division. He was a member ot the Helmuth-Ingalls American Legion Post #232 in Franklin Springs. On May 25, 1968, he married Barbara (Cote) of Clinton. They made their home in Vernon Center where they shared many meaningful years raising their children and enjoying their grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Tom was a proud member of the Clinton High School hockey team as anchor of a formidable defensive line. He was active in the Vernon Center community and a founding member of the Vernon Center Volunteer Fire Department. Tom enjoyed his truck, country music, dancing, hunting, fishing, boating, woodworking, and working in his shop. In earlier years, he enjoyed shooting skeet at the Clinton Fish and Game Club often accompanied by his daughters whom he proudly taught to shoot. In later years, he enjoyed mowing his and neighboring lawns with the help of his grandchildren. Tom worked as a small engine mechanic for Stiefvater Distributer’s in New Hartford for 35 years and was the owner and proprietor of Thurston Small Engine Repair in Vernon Center. He could be found in his shop most days even after “retiring” from Steifvater’s. He reluctantly closed the shop this spring only in light of his diagnosis.

Tom is survived by his wife, Barbara, and daughter Nicole Thurston of Vernon Center NY, and was pre-deceased by his daughter Danielle “Diedi” Thurston in 1989. He cherished his grandchildren and great-grandchildren: Evanne Henderson (Charlotte & Fynn), Carl and (Julia) Lackey (Leo) and Clayton, Colden and Gavin Lackey. Tom also leaves behind his wife Barb’s siblings and their families including: Gaeton “Tom” and Georgine Dragone of Jacksonville, FL; John and Lynne Cote of Guilford, CT. He was pre-deceased by Don and Janet Crane of Clinton, NY. He is also survivored by many nieces and nephews: Michael, Michelle, Thomas, Paul, Colleen, Alison, Gaeton, Chris and Erin.

A celebration of life is being planned at the convenience of the family. There will be no calling hours. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Vernon Center Volunteer Fire Department in Tom’s memory.