Thomas L. Larson: Loving Husband, Father, Grandfather
Thomas L. Larson, 77, of 20 South Park Street, Cuba, and formerly of Friendship, passed away Saturday, March 22, 2025 at Jones Memorial Hospital after a long battle with pancreatic cancer.
Born on November 27, 1947, in Jamestown, New York, he was a son of Elver and Lillian (Malmstrom) Larson of Falconer, New York. On January 2, 1971 he married the former Carolyn Davidson who survives.
Tom was a graduate of Falconer High School Class of 1966. He then served in the United States Army during the Vietnam War from November 30, 1968 until April 7, 1972.
He received his associates degree in Applied Science from JCC in 1969 and his master’s degree from the University of Buffalo. He began his teaching career as the Industrial Arts Teacher at Friendship Central School and also taught Drivers’s Education during the summer. He continued his education to become the Guidance Counselor at Friendship Central School. Later, he received his Administration Degree from St. Bonaventure and accepted a job as High School Principal at Rushford Central School for several years, but after the merger with Cuba, he was the Director of Pupil Services until his retirement. After retiring, he worked part-time at Belfast Central School as the Technology/Shop teacher for several years.
He was a handyman, loved tinkering with electronics and making things with wood, and enjoyed creating designs for furniture or small wooden crafts. He could fix just about any appliance, and was able to do a lot of maintenance on his own vehicles and those of his family. With these abilities he had several side jobs that included fixing televisions at Jones Memorial Hospital and had his own “Fix It” business for a while.
Tom enjoyed learning about and discussing many things that included his knowledge of WWII which led him to learn about airplanes and war ships (especially related to WWII). He was a fan of Sci Fi and enjoyed Isaac Asimov, Star Trek, Star Wars, and Firefly. He liked watching sports, fishing, camping, boating, and in recent years took up playing the guitar. He was an avid bowler and belonged to several Bowling Leagues in the area over the past few years.
Active in the community he helped build some of the local businesses in the area including a funeral home and photography studio. He was loving, generous, kind, gentle, creative, level-headed, extremely hard-working, and was known for his dry sense of humor. He was always willing to help family, friends, and neighbors whether it be blowing snow for elderly neighbors or fixing cars and appliances that were broken.
He is survived by his wife, Carolyn; His Children Jennifer (Matthew) Williamson, David Larson; Grandchildren: William, Thelma, Eric, Chrystal, and Emma Larson; Luke (Lisa), Jonah, Wyatt (Kayla) Williamson, David, Noah, and Zeke. and two great grandchildren Mia and Sylvie (Meyong and Seul-bi) ; A Sister Sandra (Lee) Fletcher; Several nieces and nephews.
There will be no services at this time.
Arrangements are under direction of the Mark F. Rinker Funeral Home & Memorial Service, Inc., Cuba.
Online condolences may be
shared at www.rinkerfuneralhome.com.
