MOHAWK-Thomas James Graham, age 79, passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday afternoon September 29, 2021 at his home. He was born on February 15, 1942, in Herkimer, son of the Late Joseph and Marie Pelitear Graham. A lifelong area resident he was raised and educated in Saint Francis deSales Catholic School and Herkimer High School. On August 5, 1959, he entered the US Navy and served aboard the USS Springfield. He was honorably discharged on June 5, 1963 attaining the rank of BT-3. On December 12, 1964, he was united in marriage to the former Donna Marie Krouse in Saint Francis deSales RC Church in Herkimer. They shared a loving and devoted union of fifty-two years until her passing on December 28, 2016. An accomplished custom gun smith, he worked for the Remington Arms Company in Ilion for thirty-two years, retiring in 1998. Mr. Graham had a strong belief in God and was a member of Saint Francis deSales Church, Herkimer. He was also a member of the Crowley-Barnum American Legion Post #25 in Mohawk. In his retirement he kept busy working with his wife, Donna in their restaurant "Donna's Diner" on route 5 in Herkimer. Toms' leisure time was spent hunting, fishing. He especially enjoyed his yearly fishing trips with his brothers Don and Ken at Nags Head, NC. As a youngster and having been raised with horses, he had a true love for horses and at one time had horses of his own. To all those who knew him, they will always remember him for his work ethic and his honesty. Any conversation with him was straight and to the point yet you felt his warmth and friendship whenever you were with him. He was happiest when he was surrounded by his many friends and family especially his cherished grandson. He will be greatly missed. Surviving him are his daughter, Colleen Carlesimo and her husband Joseph, his grandson Joseph Carlesimo, two sisters, Joanne Maine and her husband Allen of Mohawk, Bonnie Perry and husband Chipper of Cedarville, a brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Richard and Barbara Krause, several nieces, including Donna Charish and Debbie LaVallee and a special niece, Patsy Aversa of Oneida. Besides his parents and wife Donna he is preceded in death by four brothers, Kenneth, Billy, Donald and Richard Graham, and one sister, Barbara Smith. Calling hours for Mr. Graham will be on Wednesday from 4:00 until 6:00pm in Fenner Funeral Home, Inc., 115 Court Street, Herkimer. Funeral service will be on Thursday at 11:00am in the funeral home with the Reverend Mark Cunningham officiating. Interment will follow in Oak Hill Cemetery with military honors provided by the US Navy. In memorial of Tom the family would like to purchase a Navy Seal Legacy Brick that would be displayed at the Lt. Michael P. Murphy Museum, in Sayville, NY. All proceeds are used to support the museum and Naval Sea Cadet training facility. For contributions toward the brick you may make a monetary donation to the Coleen Carlesimo, 6 Garden St. Mohawk, NY 13407. Envelopes are available at the funeral home. Calling Hours

Wednesday, October 6, 2021 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM

Fenner Funeral Home Inc. 115 Court St. Herkimer, New York 13350 Funeral Service

Thursday, October 7, 2021 11:00 AM

Fenner Funeral Home Inc. 115 Court St. Herkimer, New York 13350