Obituary of Lt. Col. Thomas Francis Noel

Lt. Col. Thomas F. Noel, 75, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, May 3, 2017.  He was born in Hanover, PA on February 17, 1942 to Louis and Mary Noel, and is survived by his beloved wife Priscilla Noel, children Timothy (Tina) Noel, Kristen (Richard) Felton and Julie (Justin) Pendergrast. He is also survived by 8 grandchildren (Sam and Cate Noel, Emma, Caroline, and Julia Felton, and Aidan, Gavin, and Camryn Pendergrast), his sister Barbara (Wayne) Koehler and brother Steve (Patricia) Noel, and beloved brother in-law, Ronald Lahody.

Tom grew up in Hanover, PA and graduated from EichelbergerSenior High School in 1960.  He attended Ball State University, where he majored in business administration and minored in Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps.  While at Ball State, he was a member of the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity.  Upon graduation in 1964, he was commissioned as a 2nd Lt. in the United States Air Force and  served in the Vietnam War flying troops and cargo.  After his service in the United States Air Force, he returned to Ball State to earn his MBA.  However, his passion was flying. Soon after earning his MBA and working at Knolls Power Atomic Laboratory, he joined the 109th Air National Guard Unit in Schenectady, NY as a full time pilot and Guardsman where he flew the C-130 Hercules cargo aircraft for over 30 years.  This job enabled him to see the world, including trips to every continent.  The last 10 years of his flying career were spent supporting the National Science Foundation, “Operation Deep Freeze” at the South Pole Station, Antarctica.  Tom was a very patriotic American.

Tom was also an active member of several organizations including the 109th Airlift Wing Alumni Association, the American Legion Post 1817, the Old Antarctic Explorers Association, Antarctic Deep Freeze Association, the National Guard Association of the U.S., Firebird Association, Military Officer Association of America, and the Electric City Pontiac GTO Classic Car Club.

Tom's most important role in life was being a devoted husband of 50 years, father, brother, and grandfather.  His family could depend on him to walk in front of them when they needed someone to follow, to walk beside them when they needed someone to lean on, and to stand behind them when they were having difficult times.  There will always be a place in our hearts where he will live forever.  We remember him with pride, tender memories, easy laughter, and most of all, with everlasting love.

The family wishes to express gratitude to the caregivers of Schuyler Ridge in Clifton Park, NY and the staff of Saratoga Hospice for their compassionate care of Tom and his family.

Calling hours will be held on Monday May 8, 2017 at the Glenville Funeral Home, 9 Glenridge Rd. Glenville, from 4-7p.m. with the funeral Mass to be celebrated at 9 a.m. on Tuesday May 9, 2017 at the Church of the Immaculate Conception, 400 Saratoga Rd. Glenville. Interment with military honors to follow at St. Anthony’s Cemetery, Glenville.  

Donations in his memory may be made to the Empire State Aeroscience Museum, 250 Rudy Chase Dr. Glenville, NY 12302and the Alzheimer’s Association, Pine West Plaza Bldg 4, Suite 405 Washington Ave Ext. Albany, NY 12205.