Obituary of Thomas D. Rice

ILION-UTICA – Thomas D. Rice, age 89, of Montgomery St., Ilion, passed away peacefully, on Wednesday, March 9, 2022, at Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare, New Hartford. He was born on July 17, 1932, in Utica, the son of John and Florence (Schilz) Rice and graduated from Utica Catholic Academy, in 1950. Tom was a veteran of the Korean Conflict, serving in the U.S. Navy. On September 7, 1957, he was married to Anne “Nancy” J. Keogh, at St. Francis de Sales Church, Utica. She died on February 23, 1992. Tom was employed as a glazer glass cutter, at Pittsburgh Paint and Glass Co., Utica, for over 20 years. He later worked as a printer, in the N.Y.S Print Shop, at the Utica Psychiatric Center, for 15 years. Mr. Rice was a member of the Church of the Annunciation, Ilion, the Ilion Knights of Columbus #518 and its Fourth Degree. Tom was a very avid NY Yankees, NY Giants and Notre Dame Fan. Surviving family members include his beloved companion of 26 years, Mary Joan Roach, of Whitesboro; his daughter, Linda A. Rice, with whom he resided; his son and daughter-in-law, Thomas D. Rice, Jr. and Norma Jean Rice, of New Hartford; his 3 grandsons, Thomas D. Rice III and his wife, Lindsay, Michael Rice and his girlfriend, Alex Poulin and Tyler Rice; his 3 great-grandchildren, Arianna, Mason and Evelyn; 3 nieces, Jacqueline Cornacchia and her husband, Michael, Betsie Cleary and her husband, Tom, and Kim Rice and her companion, Gary Turkington; and several other nieces, nephews, cousins and the family of Mary Joan Roach. Graveside Services will be held 1:30 p.m., Monday, June 6, 2022, at the Armory Hill Cemetery, Ilion, with Father Paul Catena, officiating. Anyone wishing to share a memory of Tom, or add to his online memorial, may go to www.applegateanday.com In lieu of flowers, as an expression of sympathy, memorial contributions may be made to the Ilion Knights of Columbus Benevolent Fund, 74 West St., Ilion, NY 13357, or the Catholic Charities of Herkimer County, 61 West St., Ilion, NY 13357, or the Church of the Annunciation, 109 West St., Ilion, NY 13357. Envelopes are also available at the funeral home. Tom’s service arrangements and supervision are entrusted to his Family Funeral Director and long time family friend, Don Applegate.