Obituary of Thomas J. Mazuzan

Thomas J. Mazuzan, age 86 of the Town of Lee, passed away on Wednesday, February 1, 2017, peacefully at home, with his family by his side. Tom was born on January 18, 1931 in Pittsburgh, PA to the late Paul and Marie C. Mazuzan. He was educated in the Pittsburgh and Columbus, OH school systems. He attended the Ohio State University until he was called to active military duty with the U.S Air Force on January 19, 1953, during the Korean War. He graduated as a Second Lieutenant and Navigator from Aviation Cadets in April 1954. He married Jannine Fosnaugh on June 19, 1954 at Ellington AFB in Houston, TX; a blessed union of 61 years until her passing on February 18, 2015. Tom retired from the Air Force on March 1, 1976 as a Lieutenant Colonel. He spent his entire career with the Strategic Air Command, except for one year while in Vietnam from August 1967-1968. After retirement, Tom drove for the Birnie and Cletus Paine Bus companies. Tom joined the New York Canoe Racing Association in 1973 and was active in many canoeing adventures. He earned recognition in the Guinness Book of Records in 1986 for Fastest 24 Hours and the Guinness Sports Record Book for the First Solo Crossings of the Great Lakes in 1991. He was an amateur actor and performed at the Rome Community Theater since 1980 and the Capitol Theater of Performing Arts since 1989. He was also an active parishioner of St. Joseph's Church in Lee Center. Tom is survived by his daughters and sons in law, Megan and Todd McCollough of Auburn, ME, and Erin and Bruce Bowen of Holland Patent; his son, Matt Mazuzan of Auburn, ME; ten grandchildren, and 15 great, grandchildren. H was predeceased by two daughters, Cathy Newman and Beth Wilcox. A Mass of Cristian Burial will be held on Saturday at 11 AM at St. Joseph's Church. Burial will be in Evergreen Cemetery in the spring. There are no calling hours. In lieu of flowers, donations in Tom's name can be made to the Humane Society of Rome. Arrangements are entrusted to the Barry Funeral Home, 807 W. Chestnut Street. Please offer online condolences at: www.BarryFuneralHome.com.