Thomas J. LaConte

Thomas J. LaConte, Sr. 68, retired fire chief for the city of Amsterdam, passed away peacefully Monday evening at his Eagle Street home with his wife at his side. Born in Amsterdam on Aug. 5, 1941, he was the son of the late Guisseppe and Anna Castelessi LaConte. Tom was a 1959 graduate of Wilbur H. Lynch High School. Following his graduation, he enlisted in the US Navy and served as a fireman aboard the USS Independence. Upon his honorable discharge in 1962, he began a twenty three year career as a firefighter in Amsterdam where he served as chief for a number of years. Prior to his retirement in 1989, he received many citations for bravery and service to the community as well as the respect and admiration of his fellow fire fighters. Tom was a past President of the New York State Permanent Fireman's Association, whom named him "Fireman of the Year" in 1975. His leadership was noted in the highest tradition of the fire service. He also was the proprietor of TLC Electric until 1995 when he and his wife moved to Florida. They returned in 2000. A parishioner of St. Stanislaus' R.C. Church, Tom was an active member of the community and a member of the John J. Wyszomirski Post 701 American Legion, Irish American Club, and the B.P.O. Elks Lodge 101. He was a former member of the Columbian Social Club and Council 209 Knights of Columbus. Tom leaves his loving wife the former Kathleen M. Marshall whom he married November 22, 1997; Children, Thomas J. Ginger LaConte Jr. and Jennifer Robert Archer all of Pensacola, Fla.; step son Thomas Blood of Amsterdam; brother, Salvatore "Sam" Therese LaConte of Amsterdam; sisters, Angelina Fondacaro and Theresa Joe Testa all of Amsterdam, Mary Walt Dlugolecki of Rensselaer, and Josephine John Bracchi of Amsterdam; grandsons, Christopher, Thomas III and Kevin; a sister in law Vency LaConte of Naples Fla., and his best pal Dodger. In addition to his parents, Tom was predeceased by his beloved daughter Tina LaConte, and brothers Joseph and Vincent LaConte. His Funeral Mass will be celebrated Friday at 9:30 am at St. Stanislaus' Church by Fr. David Mickiewicz. Relatives and friends and members of the City Firefighters past and present are invited and may call on Thursday from 4-7 pm at the Betz, Rossi & Bellinger Family Funeral Home, 171 Guy Park Avenue where Post 701 will meet at 6 pm to offer a prayer service to their departed comrade. Interment is private. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Leukemia Society Of America or the Montgomery County SPCA both in care of the funeral home office.