Thomas F. Guilianelli
MECHANICVILLE — Thomas F. Guilianelli, son of Thomas A. and Diane F. Dwyer Guilianelli and brother of David P. “Hoover” Guilianelli, grandson of the late Thomas and Rose Canonica Guilianelli and the late Francis “Chick” and Eleanor Donnelly Dwyer passed away Wednesday, October 27, 2021 in the comfort of his lifelong home surrounded by his family and friends at the age of 54, after a courageous and hard fought 17-month battle with Glioblastoma.
Born May 10, 1967 at Leonard Hospital in Troy, Tom lived his whole life in Mechancville and was a graduate of Mechanicville High School, Class of 1985. He was a loyal and diehard Yankees and Buffalo Bills fan. Tom was employed by FedEx Express in Menands for the past 12 years, where he was well liked and well respected by not only his co-workers but his customers in the Loudonville/Corporate Woods area, which was the territory he covered for the past 5 years. Tom was previously employed by National Graphic Supply Corp., Katzenbach & Warren, and tended bar for numerous years in Albany.
In Tom`s spare time, you could find him listening to his favorite bands The Grateful Dead or The Dead. In his younger years Tom would take his vacation to coincide with their East Coast Stadium Tour and would travel with his best friends attending shows. Tom`s biggest regret was not being able to attend this summer`s show at SPAC due to his illness, but this did not prevent him from missing a show. He would listen and watch the shows on his I-pad from the comfort of his front porch with his best friend Bobby. When not listening to his favorite band, you could catch Tom participating in local cornhole leagues with friends and co-workers or most importantly spending time with family and friends, which were the most important part of his life. Tom found joy with having a good time surrounded by the ones he loved, you would be hard pressed to find someone who did not like Tom. He was a kind and gentle soul, who would put others before himself. Tom may have been a quiet and reserved guy, but once you got to know him, you realized what a big personality he had. Tom would be the life of the party. Tom was also into working out and exercise, and when not spending time enjoying life, he could be found in the gym. Tom was a longtime member of Gold’s/Vent Fitness in Clifton Park and previously of Downtown Fitness in Mechanicville.
In addition to his grandparents, Tom was predeceased by his uncle Alphonse “Fonzi” and aunt Lillian Canonica, who were like grandparents to Tom and his brother, aunt Anna and uncle Anthony “Bubbles” Cimino, aunt Nancy and uncle Julius “Fatty” Marcelle, uncle Anthony “Nookie” and aunt June Guilianelli and uncle Andrew Burke and aunt Colleen Dwyer Wong.
Tom was also survived by his beloved and loyal dog Maverick, who would lay alongside of Tom during his naps, his adored Aunt Nancy Burke, cousins Michele Burke and husband Kevin Sternberg, Kelly and David Gonnelly and their sons Aaron Gonnelly and Ryan Gonnelly and his wife Sabina, Wendy and Lee Smith and their children Hannah and Nathan, his best friends Tim and Sharon Kraszewski, their children Adam Kraszewski, Jade and Jason Kraft and their daughter Reagan, who affectionately referred to Tom as Uncle “TT,” Bob Kraszewski, Jeff Schwartz, Alicia Delafrange, Stacy Salvadore, Michele Izzo, Danny Ferris, Mike and Jess Hipwell and their children Cooper and Kacie. Tom was also survived by many aunts, uncles and friends too numerous to mention.
The family would like to thank the following: The Clifton Park/Halfmoon Ambulance Service, Mohawk Ambulance Service, who transported Tom on his final journey home, the nurses on the 5th floor Neuro ICU, 3rd floor Comfort Care, Dr. Benjamin Bernier and the Security Staff all of Albany Medical Center Hospital, Dr. Justin Juliano, Dr. Susan Weaver and her staff at NYOH at Albany Med and especially Dr. Stephen S. Sgambati, Jr. and his staff , Community Hospice of Saratoga and NYOH of Clifton Park.
A special thank you to Tom`s co-workers at Federal Express and David “Hoover,” co-workers at DeCrescente Distributing and the DeCrescente family for their kind words, messages of support, prayers and gifts they provided during Tom`s fight during his illness, and to his friends Paul and Michelle Mickalonis, who made sure to take care of Tom`s grooming needs while a patient at Albany Med.
The family would like to extend their most heartfelt thanks to his caregivers Johna Farrell and Desiree Teft who provided exceptional care in Tom`s final hours and allowed Tom to return home and pass on his own terms.
Family and friends gathered to remember Tom on Tuesday, November 2, 2021 at the Chase-Smith Family Funeral Homes, 319 Park Ave, Mechanicville.
A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Wednesday, November 3, 2021 at All Saints on the Hudson South Church, (St. Paul’s), 121 N. Main St. Mechanicville.
Memorials in Tom’s name may be made to NYOH of Clifton Park @ newyorkoncology.com or Community Hospice of Saratoga, 179 Lawrence Street, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866.
Arrangements are under the direction of the William J. Burke & Sons/ Bussing & Cunniff Funeral Homes (518-584-5373) of 628 North Broadway, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866.
Online remembrances may be made at www.burkefuneralhome.com