Behan Jr., Thomas J.

ALBANY- Thomas J. Behan, Jr, 83, passed away peacefully at home with his loving family at his side on January 19, 2019.

The son of the late Thomas J. and Margaret (Willigan) Behan, Sr., Tom was the husband of the late Mary (Amedio) Behan, father of Thomas (Anne) Behan, III, Kathleen (Charles) Border, Edward (Carolyn) Behan, and Maureen (James) Motler. Papa was loved and will be missed by his nine grandchildren and one great-granddaughter, many nieces, nephews, and good friends.He was predeceased by his sisters, Helen (late William) Burke, Margaret (late Erwin) Betzwieser, and Mary (late Angelo) Fratianni.

A life-long Albany resident, Tom was a graduate of Vincentian Institute. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army, having attained the rank of Corporal. He retired from the New York Telephone Company in 1990. After retirement, he was employed by the Albany County Sheriff’s Department as a Court Attendant at the Albany County Court House. He was a communicant of the Parish of Mater Christi, only recently retiring from longtime service as an usher.

Tom loved to travel, including summer vacations in Cape Cod with his family, and trips abroad to Italy and Ireland, as well as cruises with his wife Mary and close friends. Tom was also an avid bowler and golfer, and was proud to have scored two holes-in-one at Capitol Hills Golf Course, in Albany. Tom was a member of the Knights of Columbus Council 173, Albany Elks Lodge 49, Ancient Order of Hibernians, Father Henry Tansey, Division #5, and the Telephone Pioneers of America.

Tom’s Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated Thursday, January 24, at 10:00 a.m. at the Parish of Mater Christi, 40 Hopewell Street, Albany. Relatives and friends are invited and may also visit with Tom’s family on Wednesday, January 23 from 4 to 7 p.m. at Daniel Keenan Funeral Home, located at 490 Delaware Avenue, Albany.

Tom will be laid to rest in St. Agnes Cemetery, Menands.