Obituary of Thomas J. Harkenrider

CANISTEO: Thomas J. Harkenrider, 75, of Bennett St. passed away Monday (Oct. 14, 2013) at his home with the care and comfort of his family surrounding him following a courageous battle with cancer. Tom was born on Memorial Day May 30, 1938 in Hornell the only child of Paul J. and Angela M. (McNeill) Harkenrider. On August 19, 1961 in Addison he married Sharon I. Smith who survives and resides in Canisteo. He was a lifelong resident of the Canisteo Valley, growing up in Rexville and graduating from Greenwood Central School class of 1956 as class salutatorian. Tom was a veteran of the U.S Navy serving from 1956 to 1959. After being honorably discharged from service he returned home and continued working with his father on the family dairy farm in Rexville. Along with dairy farming, he was a breeder of registered Holsteins under the name of "To-Sha" until the herd dispersal in 1985. Tom had also been employed at Columbia Gas on the Rock Creek Rd. in Greenwood from 1978-92 and Steuben Gas Storage in Canisteo from 1992 retiring in 2003. Previous employment included the West Union Highway Dept., the former SKF in Hornell, Corning Glass Works and the Hornell Area Transit as a bus driver. Tom's civic accomplishments and contributions included being a 4-H leader of the former Busy Farmers and Farmeretts in Rexville and a member of the Allegany-Steuben Holstein Club. He was a member and past President of the Greenwood Central School Board of Education and a very active member of the Greenwood Sports Boosters. He was on the church councils for both St. Mary's Parish and Our Lady of the Valley. Tom was also West Union Town Justice for a short period of time. Other social activities included being a 4th Degree Knights of Columbus and member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians of Hornell. In addition to his wife of 52 years, Sharon Harkenrider of Canisteo, Tom is survived by three sons: Thomas A. (Diedra) Harkenrider of Freeville, Timothy (Kathleen) Harkenrider of Canisteo and Daniel (Dawn) Harkenrider of Clinton Corners.Two daughters: Lisa (Douglas) Burnside of Chester and Theresa (Rodney) Allen of Leroy. He is also survived by 11 wonderful grand children: Kylie and Brooke Burnside, Paul and Julia Harkenrider, Erin Harkenrider, Zachary, MacKenzie, Taylor and Madison Harkenrider and Angela and Abby Allen, along with many, many cousins.. The family will receive friends from 2-4 and 7-9 PM Friday at the H.P. Smith and Son, In. Funeral Home, 29 East Main St. in Canisteo where evening prayers will take place at 8:45 PM following calling hrs.. A mass and Christian burial will be held Saturday at11:00 am at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Rexville. Burial will be in St. Mary's Churchyard Cemetery in Rexville.. Memorial contributions in Thomas Harkenrider's name may be made to either: Guthrie Corning Cancer Center, 114 Columbia St. Corning , N.Y. 14830, St. Mary's Rexville Cemetery Association, 31 Erie Ave. Hornell, N.Y. 14843 or to the Celiac Foundation, 20350 Ventura Blvd. Ste 240, Woodland Hills, CA. 91364. Service: Saturday, Oct. 19, 2013 11:00 AM St. Mary's Catholic Church Rexville, NY Visitation: Friday, Oct. 18, 2013 2-4 & 7-9 PM H.P. Smith & Son, Inc. 29 East Main St. Canisteo, NY