Thomas A. Lafave

Lyons Falls- Thomas A. LaFave, 50, of High Street, husband of Sayan, passed away unexpectedly at his beloved camp at Buck Lake, on Wednesday, May 16, 2012. He was born in Utica, on July 5, 1961, a son of Verne Nelson and Susan Mary Clark LaFave. Tom grew up in Boonville, later moving to Lyons Falls. He graduated from South Lewis Senior High School, Turin, with the Class of 1979. Thereafter Mr. LaFave served his country in the US Air Force being honorably discharged in 1985. For a time he lived in Albany, returning to Lyons Falls, and was employed as pulp room operator at Lyons Falls Pulp and Paper Co. For several years Mr. LaFave resided in the country of Iraq, where he was employed as a civilian heavy equipment operator in environmental construction for Cape Environmental Services of Atlanta Georgia. At the present time he had accepted a position as crane operator. Mr. LaFave was married to Sayan Thinkrathok. Tom greatly enjoyed time spent at his camp; he loved dancing, hunting, fishing and snowmobiling. He was talented in building construction and enjoyed constructing his camp at Buck Lake. In addition to his wife, Sayan, his stepson, Sorawit (Ta) Phakdeetho, Lyons Falls, Tom is survived by his mother and stepfather, Susan M. and Thomas Levesque, Lyons Falls; his siblings, Anne Green, Cynthia LaFave (Paul Rapoli,) and Michael, all of Voorheesville, and John (Satomi) Altamont; three step sisters, Bonnie Levesque, Georgiana (Joseph) Feller, and Tama (Robert) Lunceford, TN. He was predeceased by his father, Verne, and by a sister in law, Lori. Also surviving are nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be Saturday at 1 PM at Trainor Funeral Home, Inc. 143 Schuyler St. Boonville, with interment with military honors from Charles J. Love Post American Legion, Harland J. Hennessey Post VFW, and Tun Tavern Marine Corps League, to follow in Boonville Cemetery. Visitation is Saturday 11 AM until the funeral at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to Lyons Falls Ambulance Fund, Lyons Falls, NY 13368. For an on-line message of sympathy, or to share a memory of Tom, please go to www.trainorfuneralhome.com.