Thomas E. Kotary

Thomas E. Kotary, 71, a resident of Colonie and native of Boonville, passed away peacefully on Saturday, February 10, 2007 at his residence. Tom was born in Boonville on October 16, 1935, a son of Eugene M. and Mary Pearl Burns Kotary. For the first five years of his life he lived in the Boonville Hotel, which his parents owned and operated. In 1940 he moved with his family to their residence on the Moose River Road, the former William Commerford Fish Hatchery. He graduated from Boonville High School in 1953, where he was an outstanding basketball player, setting a record for most points per game (26) at that time. Tom went on to study electrical technology at Mohawk Valley Community College. While attending college, he worked part-time for Pat Marcy in Boonville, repairing and maintaining their commercial electronic machines. He graduated from college in 1955 with an AAS degree in electrical technology and was immediately employed by the General Electric Company in Schenectady, where he worked for 35 years until his retirement. Tom especially enjoyed golfing, playing ping-pong and darts, and working out electronic problems. He was an active member of the West Albany Rod and Gun Club, and a lifetime member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks in Boonville. Tom will be fondly remembered as a friendly, sociable person who always had a good joke to tell. Tom is survived by his three sons: Dexter Kotary of Colonie, Raymond (Kathy) Kotary of Colonie, and James (Patricia) Kotary of Powell, OH; his beloved grandchildren: Meaghan, Thomas, Joseph, Serena and Kara Kotary; five great-grandchildren; a sister: Jean Marie Kotary of Surprise, AZ; a brother: Patrick (Lolly) Kotary of Boonville; a sister-in-law: Patty Kotary of Boonville; and his former wife: Bonnie H. Kotary of Schenectady; and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents and two brothers, Michael Kotary and Thomas Eugene Kotary I. A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated for Tom at 10:30 am Saturday, July 14th, at St. Josephï¿(TM)s Church, Boonville. Interment will follow in St. Maryï¿(TM)s Cemetery, West Leyden. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Ellis Hospital, Oncology Dept., 1101 Nott St., Schenectady, NY 12308. Arrangements are in the care of the Trainor Funeral Home, Inc., Boonville.