FORT EDWARD--

-John J. "Jack" Toomey, 88, died peacefully surrounded by his loving family on Friday morning, June 25, 2010 at Helen Porter Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center, in Middlebury, VT.
.
Born in the “east end”of Glens Falls, on October 2, 1921, he was the son of Timothy and Lena (Duggan) Toomey. After losing both parents at the age of 8, he was raised by his cousins: Misses Mary, Anna, Catherine, Florence, and Helen Murphy and Misters Timothy, Joseph, and Neil Murphy who all predecease him.

Jack graduated from St. Mary's Academy in Glens Falls and Dean Academy in Franklin, Massachusetts. He received his Bachelor's Degree from Manhattan College and his Masters in Science and Education from Columbia University.

He served proudly in the United States Army for four years during World War II in the Signal Corps. He fought for his country in the battle of Saipan and at Iwo Jima.

Jack married Jean Elizabeth Page, on April 10, 1950 in St. Alphonsus Church of Glens Falls. Jean passed away in 2003 after 53 years of marriage.

Many knew Jack as an outstanding area athlete. He was a half-back and line-backer on the St. Mary's Academy Varsity Football team, starring in the historic scoreless game of 1940 against Glens Falls. Jack pitched and played infield for four years on the SMA varsity team with a 27-6 record; pitching 3 no-hit games and had a batting average of .352. Jack was also a quick and aggressive basketball forward, leading the 1940 team to a conference championship.

Jack was awarded a football-baseball scholarship to Dean Academy where athletic accomplishments continued. After returning home from the war, Jack attended Manhattan College and was rated the number one pitcher for four years, led the league in strike outs, and was named to the All-Metropolitan team for his entire college career. He was inducted into the Manhattan College Athletic Hall of Fame in 1961. Jack also pitched for the St. Jean's of Quebec team in the Canadian-American League and is remembered as delivering the fastest ball on the circuit. Jack was inducted into the Glens Falls Sports Memorial Hall of Fame in 1988.

Jack was an educator and coach at Fort Edward Junior/Senior High School for 33 years. He taught science and coached baseball, football, basketball and golf. He was a strong role model who had great influence on many of his former students and athletes. Later in life, he took great pleasure in following the successes of his students in their athletic endeavors and more importantly their contributions to the community. Upon his retirement, he was honored with The Fort Edward Historical Society School Bell award.

He directed the Saturday morning basketball league for 25 winters, the swimming program on the Hudson River, and was instrumental in the building of the Fort Edward municipal swimming pool. In Glens Falls, he directed the highly successful summer morning baseball league, always remembering what a positive influence that program and “Danny Reardon” had made on his own life.

Throughout his life, Jack cherished the time spent with his closest friends and shared many memories of those friendships with his family.

For over forty years Jack and his brother Ed were the proprietors of “Toomey’s Liquor Store” in Fort Edward.

Jack was a long time member of St. Joseph’s Church and the Knight’s of Columbus.

Besides his parents and wife, Jack was predeceased by his sisters, Elizabeth and Regina; his brothers, Howard, Francis, Timothy, and Edward; his sisters-in-law, Betty Jane, Harriet, Barbara, and Joanne; his brother-in-laws, Mel Helitzer and Joe Wells II; his nephew Joe Wells III; his beloved aunts, Mayme and Helen; and his daughter-in-law, Jane Toomey.

Survivors include his three sons: John P. Toomey and his wife Antoinette of Fort Edward; Michael J. Toomey and his wife Patricia of Glens Falls and Patrick P. Toomey and his wife Leslee of Salem; his two daughters, Helen Toomey-Covey and her husband Eric of Middlebury, VT, and Collette Molloy and her husband Peter of Saratoga Springs: his grandchildren: Melissa, Shannon, Page, Ashley, Megan, Katherine, Justin, McKenna, Abigail, Jack, Claire, Kelly, Casey and Jackie; and, his great-grandchildren, Madison and Abigail. Jack is also survived by many nieces and nephews whom he loved dearly.

Friends may call on the family from 4 to 7 p.m. Sunday, June 27, 2010 at the M. B. Kilmer Funeral Home, 82 Broadway, Fort Edward, NY. The Knights of Columbus Fort Edward Council #336 will gather at 4:00 p.m. at the funeral home.

Please send your fondest memories of Mr. Toomey by web (www.kilmerfuneralhome.com) or prepare a note to leave for the family at the funeral home.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated 11a.m. Monday, June 28, 2010 at St. Joseph's Church, 164 Broadway, Fort Edward, NY 12828.

The Rite of Committal will follow in St. Joseph's Cemetery, Fort Edward.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Jack Toomey Memorial Scholarship, c/o Fort Edward High School, 220 Broadway Fort Edward, NY 12828 or to Elderly Services Inc.112 Exchange St. Middlebury, Vermont 05753.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of John J. "Jack" Toomey, please visit our Heartfelt Sympathies Store.

Affiliations