Obituary
Saratoga Springs, NY - This is to announce the transition of Thomas Eugene Tunney out of his earthly bounds and back into the unmanifested. He died on October 14, 2018.
A somewhat exhilarating 96 year ride took Thomas from the hamlet of Penn Yan, New York on the shores of Keuka Lake, to the South Pacific Theater of World War II where he was a naval pilot from 1943 to 1946. He pushed the limits of the PBY 5 and 6A amphibious seaplanes. He took leave in October of 1945 to marry his sweetheart Patty Ziegler on Whidbey Island, in the state of Washington. They were married for 66 years until Patty floated off on the wings of a monarch butterfly.
His travels took him to the high desert of New Mexico, the rolling hills of Wisconsin, the Hudson Valley of New York state, the lakes of the Adirondack Mountains, the Abaco Islands of the Bahamas, and the city of Saratoga Springs, New York.
His beliefs in social justice led Thomas to take a sabbatical from work in Wisconsin to go to Mississippi in 1964 to assist with the dangerous work of helping with voter registration drives. He was also steadfast in his multi-year protests against the war in Vietnam.
Thomas was a son, athlete, sailor, pilot, brother, husband, father, psychologist, administrator, meditator, tai-chi teacher, rascal, homeopath, gardener, raconteur, maverick, polemicist, jogger, questioner of the status quo and nature of the universe. His 96 years were full ones. Thomas impressed the many who had interactions with him, and he was always amused that not all those impressions were favorable.
There will be no service. He would like those who are so inclined to have a drink, or in lieu of fine whiskey, for donations to be sent to the Catholic Worker: 36 East First Street, NY, NY10003.
Thomas requested that his friends and loved ones read the poem "When the Ripe Fruit Falls" by D.H. Lawrence be read upon his leaving his body. http://heartsteps.org/2018/ripe-fruit/
Peace.
Arrangements are under the direction of the William J. Burke & Sons/Bussing & Cunniff Funeral Homes of 628 North Broadway, Saratoga Springs.
Online remembrances may be made at www.burkefuneralhome.com.
A somewhat exhilarating 96 year ride took Thomas from the hamlet of Penn Yan, New York on the shores of Keuka Lake, to the South Pacific Theater of World War II where he was a naval pilot from 1943 to 1946. He pushed the limits of the PBY 5 and 6A amphibious seaplanes. He took leave in October of 1945 to marry his sweetheart Patty Ziegler on Whidbey Island, in the state of Washington. They were married for 66 years until Patty floated off on the wings of a monarch butterfly.
His travels took him to the high desert of New Mexico, the rolling hills of Wisconsin, the Hudson Valley of New York state, the lakes of the Adirondack Mountains, the Abaco Islands of the Bahamas, and the city of Saratoga Springs, New York.
His beliefs in social justice led Thomas to take a sabbatical from work in Wisconsin to go to Mississippi in 1964 to assist with the dangerous work of helping with voter registration drives. He was also steadfast in his multi-year protests against the war in Vietnam.
Thomas was a son, athlete, sailor, pilot, brother, husband, father, psychologist, administrator, meditator, tai-chi teacher, rascal, homeopath, gardener, raconteur, maverick, polemicist, jogger, questioner of the status quo and nature of the universe. His 96 years were full ones. Thomas impressed the many who had interactions with him, and he was always amused that not all those impressions were favorable.
There will be no service. He would like those who are so inclined to have a drink, or in lieu of fine whiskey, for donations to be sent to the Catholic Worker: 36 East First Street, NY, NY10003.
Thomas requested that his friends and loved ones read the poem "When the Ripe Fruit Falls" by D.H. Lawrence be read upon his leaving his body. http://heartsteps.org/2018/ripe-fruit/
Peace.
Arrangements are under the direction of the William J. Burke & Sons/Bussing & Cunniff Funeral Homes of 628 North Broadway, Saratoga Springs.
Online remembrances may be made at www.burkefuneralhome.com.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Thomas E. Tunney, please visit our flower store.
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