Charlton, NY - Thomas Bonner, recent retiree from General Electric after 38 years of service, died Thursday, April 6, 2017 in his home, surrounded by his family, after a valiant battle with cancer. He was 61.

He is survived by Mary, his wife of 40 years, whom he married in their hometown of Bayonne, New Jersey, before relocating to the Schenectady area in 1979 and settling in Charlton in 1987.

Born September 8, 1955 in Jersey City, NJ, Tom was the fourth of five children born to Eleanor Bushman, currently of Sparta, NJ and the late Owen Joseph Bonner of Bayonne, NJ. Like his two brothers and two sisters, he attended Our Lady Star of the Sea school in Bayonne. Characterized by a burgeoning curiosity in the function of things, his childhood saw him glean formidable skill helping his father work on improvement projects around the family home. His interests led him, after graduating from Bayonne's Marist High School in 1973, to the New Jersey Institute of Technology, from which he graduated with a degree in mechanical engineering in 1978.

Tom began his career with General Electric Company in Schenectady, NY with his first job in 1979. He earned a Master's Degree in mechanical engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in 1982. Genuine passion for his work engendered a long and rewarding tenure at GE, and his enthusiasm for the intricacies of material science was constantly on display to everyone who would pause to listen. Surpassed only by his devotion to family, pride in his work was abundant through his final days, and his retirement as a Systems Integration Leader in GE Power Systems represented fulfillment of a lifelong ambition.

In addition to his father, Tom was predeceased by one older brother, Owen Bonner of Bayville, NJ.

Married June 4, 1977, Tom and his wife Mary Elizabeth Noonan Bonner had three children. He is survived by his sons Thomas (Elisa) Bonner of Wyncote, PA, Michael (Elizabeth) Bonner of Islip, NY, and Christopher (Lisa) Bonner of Brooklyn, NY, and six grandchildren: Carmen Kate, Giselle Laura Anne, Luisa, Elena Nicole, Ray Thomas, and Charles Murray.

Tom is also survived by his eldest brother Michael (Regina) Bonner of Shallotte, NC, his older sister Sr. Owen Patricia Bonner of Mt. Airy, PA, and his younger sister Maureen (Andrew) Barbieri of Sparta, as well as nine nieces and nephews; sister-in-law Nan Noonan of Westport, CT and sister-in-law Kathleen Noonan (John Stoner) and niece Hope Noonan-Stoner of Pleasant Hill, CA and sister-in-law Marilyn Richardson of Florida.

Tom was a devoted brother, husband, father, grandfather, uncle, neighbor, and colleague. He taught his sons to work with their hands and to shoot a basketball and hit a baseball. He taught independent responsibility, patience, and that there is no greater joy than family. He loved to fish, and was always happy to seek the peace of a line on the water alone, with his boys, with his grandchildren, or with his family. This skilled father excitedly became a grandfather who into 10 too-short years squeezed unforgettable lessons on electricity, compassion, fishing, movies, dessert, toys, tag, and rough-housing for his adoring grandchildren. He will be forever missed.

Tom's family would like to thank those who helped him with his cancer fight through his final months, especially the staff of Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Albany Medical Center, and Community Hospice of Saratoga.

Relatives and friends may call from 4 to 7pm Monday, April 10, 2017 at the William J. Burke & Sons/Bussing & Cunniff Funeral Homes, 628 North Broadway, Saratoga Springs (584-5373). A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10am Tuesday, April 11 in the historic Church of St. Peter, 241 Broadway and burial will follow in Pine Grove Cemetery, Charlton.

In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made in memory of Thomas Bonner to Mary's Haven, 35 New St., Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 or Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, to support cancer research and patient care at www.jimmyfund.org/gift or mail to Dana-Faber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Ave., Boston, MA 02115.

Online remembrances may be made at www.burkefuneralhome.com.