Thomas O'Toole

Albany- Thomas O'Toole, of Albany, passed into eternal rest on August 19, 2023. He was 87 years old. He was predeceased by his parents, Robert O'Toole, Sr. and Helen Costello O'Toole; his brother and sister-in-law, Dr. Robert and Harriet O'Toole; and his sister and brother-in-law, Mary and G. Stephen Beals. Tom leaves in loving memory his dearest friend, Karen Chhabra, of Clifton Park; his son Sean of Manhattan and Kerhonkson, NY; his daughter Erin and her partner Elliot DeHoyos of Long Beach, CA; his former wife and mother of his two children, Noreen Seaphoenix, of Albany; Karen's daughter Tara and her husband Jon Marsh of Saratoga Springs; Karen's son Vik and his wife Nilza and their son Ethan of Fort Myers, FL; numerous nieces and nephews and grandnieces and grandnephews; and many good acquaintances and close friends in fellowship.

Tom graduated from Christian Brothers Academy in Albany where he attained the rank of Cadet Major and played varsity baseball. He attended the University of Notre Dame in Notre Dame, IN, for three semesters, and received his bachelor of arts in English from Siena College. Tom attained his master of science in communication from RPI. He worked briefly as a staff writer for United Press International in Buffalo, as an employment interviewer for the State Department of Labor in Troy, and as a public information specialist with the Narcotics Addiction Control Commission in Albany. For more than 30 years, he worked as a senior editor with the State Education Department where he oversaw editorial and layout work on Department publications and examinations.

Tom loved to draw and paint and take photographs. He enrolled in several art courses at area schools and institutes and finally fulfilled a life-long dream by getting his degree in art, the completion of a correspondence course with the Art Instruction Schools of Minneapolis, MN. He subsequently sold some of his work at a gallery in Saratoga Springs. He especially enjoyed making gifts of his artwork to family and friends. His pet portraits were admired in particular for capturing the essence as well as the appearance of beloved animals. All his life, he had an avid interest in professional and collegiate sports. He was a loyal Boston Red Sox and Notre Dame fan. He also loved children, movies, dogs, laughter, and making people laugh. HDS.



A memorial celebration is planned for Saturday, September 9, at New Comer Cremations and Funerals, 343 New Karner Road, Colonie NY 12205 . Visitation will be held at 10:30am, followed by a service at 11am. To leave a special message for family, please visit www.NewComerAlbany.com





In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Habitat for Humanity, in Tom's name.