Saratoga Springs, NY - Thomas Joseph Cowell, Jr. passed away on Tuesday, May 5, 2020, surrounded by his loving family.

Tom, born on December 29, 1933 in the city of Albany, NY was the son of Thomas Cowell Sr. and Ellen Behan. He grew up in Schenectady and graduated from Nott Terrace High School in 1951, specializing in baseball and basketball. He continued his athletic prowess at St. Michael's College in Winooski, Vermont where he played baseball for three years and earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Economics in 1955.

It was in Vermont where he met his wife of 64 years, Clare Robb. They were married in August 1956 and travelled to Ft. Benning, Georgia where Tom completed his tour in the US Army. He received an Honorable Discharge in 1962 as a Specialist. The young family moved back to the Schenectady/Saratoga Springs area where they made a home with their six children.

Tom was employed by the NYS Department of Labor starting as an investigator in the early days. In 1974, Tom was appointed Unemployment Superintendent for the southern part of the state and relocated to Binghamton, NY. In 1988, he returned to Albany under Mario Cuomo's administration as Capital District Regional Director of the Labor Department. He took advantage of every promotion opportunity and retired as a Regional Superintendent of Unemployment Insurance after 36 years.

Tom and Clare then became snowbirds enjoying 20 plus years wintering in Ft. Myers, Florida where he became a proficient golfer. Family was very important to him and he loved creating family memories on their annual vacation to Ocean City, Maryland celebrating their 59th summer in 2020. Tom enjoyed sports at every age. In the summers during his collegiate years, Tom played semi-professional baseball. He was a football referee for high school, college, and semi-pro for the Capital District Football Association for 30 years. He also belonged to the Capital District Umpire Association for 15 years. He was an original member of the Schenectady Old Timers Baseball Club. He played softball with the Krall's Men's league and in an over-50 league. He was involved in the Parkside YMCA as a recreation specialist and the Charlton School for Girls as a recreation counselor for many years.

Tom is survived by his wife, Clare and his six children: Kathleen (Thomas) Fisch, Thomas (Carol) Cowell, Patricia (Timothy) Ivory, Colleen (Dana) Papazoni, Maureen (James) Robbins, Michael (Andrea) Cowell and 13 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren who loved their "Papa". He is predeceased by his parents, sister Ellen Stafford and brother Joseph Cowell.

Services will be private. Burial with military honors will take place at a later date at the Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery, Duel Rd. Schuylerville.

Memorial donations may be made in his name to St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church , Ballston Spa, NY.

Arrangements are under the direction of the William J. Burke & Sons/Bussing & Cunniff Funeral Homes of 628 North Broadway, Saratoga Springs (518-584-5373).

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