Thomas J. Petty, 60, affectionately known by his students and friends as "T.P." and retired Music Department Director for Whitesboro High School, husband of Brenda, passed away on Wednesday, June 10, 2015, after a short illness, at SUNY Upstate Medical Center, Syracuse. He was born in Kenmore, N.Y., on Feb. 18, 1955, a son of Earl and Mary Gulino Petty. Tom grew up in Clarence, N.Y., where he graduated from high school, with the Class of 1973. Thereafter he attended Crane School of Music, Potsdam, graduating with the Class of 1977. Thereafter he began his career in music education at Cherry Valley School System and completed his master's degree studies in music performance at University of Oklahoma. On July 16, 1983, Tom was united in marriage with Brenda J. Olmsted at Church of Christ Uniting, Richfield Springs. This marriage was a blessed and happy union of 32 years. After their marriage, the couple lived in Herkimer for many years. From 1983 until 2000, Mr. Petty taught instrumental music at Ilion School System. In 2000, he began teaching instrumental music for Whitesboro High School, retiring as director of music in 2010. T.P. had a brilliant career in music education; he was a very dedicated and beloved teacher, band director and musician who always went above and beyond the call of duty for every one of his students. He will be fondly remembered for his participation in sending his students for instrumental solo and band competitions at NYSSMA festivals (N.Y. State School Music Association). He also participated in conducting several All-County and Area All-State concerts. For many years he served as director for school marching bands, pep bands and jazz, concert and symphonic bands. T.P. also played in and directed the pit band for various area high school Broadway musicals. Tom greatly enjoyed his part-time employment for Big Apple Music of New Hartford, where he taught individual instrumental music lessons and traveled to area schools delivering various musical instruments and supplies. In 2010, Tom and Brenda converted their camp at White Lake to their year-round home, where they greatly enjoyed Adirondack living, including construction of a hunting camp and the enjoyment of deer and turkey hunting, fishing in area lakes and snowmobiling. Tom was the quintessential repairman and handyman; he greatly enjoyed working on automobiles and all sorts of home-related projects. He was a member of Abundant Life Fellowship Church, Boonville. While teaching in Ilion, Mr. Petty served as choir director at Ilion United Methodist Church for a period of 17 years. Tom's Christian faith was a central part of his life. In addition to his wife, Brenda, Tom is survived by one daughter and son-in-law, Liz and Darren Cardenas, Billerica, Mass.; one son, Mike Petty, Nashville, Tenn.; one beloved granddaughter, Tabitha Cardenas; one brother, John, Williamsville, N.Y. and Tom's nieces, Emily and Jessica; stepmother, Dolores Petty, Williamsville, and her children and grandchildren; and Tom's mother- and father-in-law, Bev and Les Olmsted, Richfield Springs, N.Y., and his sister-in-law, Marylee Olmsted, Herkimer, N.Y. He was predeceased by his parents. Tom will be dearly missed by many people. He is also survived by a host of friends, colleagues and former students. Tom's family expresses a note of special thanks and heartfelt appreciation to his brother in Christ and very close friend, Pastor Daniel Tabolt, of Abundant Life Fellowship Church, and friends Kelly and George Powers and Marianne Mclaughlin for their support of Brenda at Tom's bedside at the time of his passing. Tom's funeral will be Tuesday, June 16, at noon at Abundant Life Fellowship Church, Rt. 12, Boonville, where visitation hours will be Monday, June 15, from 4 to 7 p.m. and on the funeral day from 10 a.m. until the funeral. Following cremation, his ashes will be scattered. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Abundant Life Fellowship Church, P.O. Box 22 Boonville, N.Y., 13309. His arrangements are in care of Trainor Funeral Home Inc., Boonville. For an online message of sympathy, please go to www.trainorfuneralhome.com.
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