Thurston Sack Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Thurston Thomas Sack, 88, of Schenectady, NY died peacefully on Wednesday, July 13, 2022 in West Palm Beach, FL, surrounded by loving family and friends. Thurston was born on December 16, 1933 in Schenectady, the son of Thomas and Doris Goodwill Sack. He graduated from Mount Pleasant High School in 1952, where he was a star catcher on the baseball team and, after graduation, played in the minor leagues for the Boston Braves. Later, he studied electrical engineering and was employed by Niagara Mohawk. Looking to pursue his entrepreneurial interests he founded Sack Hardware Company and later, the Canal Paper Company, which he operated for many years. He was passionate about supporting his community and assumed leadership roles in the Schenectady Day Nursery, his church and local politics. Thurston was recognized often for his selfless devotion to his birthplace of Schenectady, NY. Thurston was a life-long learner and was continually pursuing his interests in gardening, antique tools, home improvement projects, fishing, history, and sports, most of all, the New York Yankees. Of late, Thurston was fascinated by the flora and fauna of Palm Beach and the elegant birds inhabiting his new home in South Florida. Thurston married his high school sweetheart and love of his life, Louise Pasquini, on April 5, 1953 in Schenectady, NY. He was a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and uncle. Thurston and Louise raised three daughters, eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren, always promoting the values of family, hard work, education, discipline, good times and great food. Thurston was a skilled craftsman, fabulous teller of stories (especially the famous Peter tales) and a most entertaining Santa on the magical Christmas Eves they hosted for many decades. Family life was of the utmost importance to Thurston. He was extremely close to his in-laws, Nicholas and Anna Pasquini, and spent long, lovely days at their summer camp on Galway Lake; a Sunday tradition for homemade italian food, bocci, big swing rides, swims in the lake, and exciting evening card games. Although he has left this physical world, his humor, mentoring, caring and compassion will live on through his loving family and all those whose lives he touched. Thurston was predeceased in death by his parents Thomas and Doris Sack, siblings Marilyn Beckman (Harold), Joyce D'Annibale (John), and James Sack (Barbara). Surviving Thurston Sack are his wife of 69 years, Louise Sack, West Palm Beach, FL, and three daughters Debra Lynch (Kenneth), Ellijay GA, Kim Sack (Jeff Smetana), Stockbridge MA, and Kelly Baker (Patrick), West Palm Beach, FL. Also surviving Thurston are his beloved grandchildren Brendan Lynch (Alicia), Gregory Lynch (Danielle), Shayna Lynch (Robert), Corey Kelly (Ben), Zachary Thurston Smetana, Allison Smetana, Emma Baker, Ryan Baker, and great-grandchildren Lily Lynch, Finley Lynch, Samantha Kelly, and Henry Kelly. The family will conduct a memorial mass for Thurston, with a celebration of his life with family and friends to be held at a future date.

Tributes

Thurston Sack

December 16, 1933 - July 13, 2022