Thomas Arielly

Thomas Frank Arielly of The Villages, FL, formerly of Grahamsville, NY, went to his eternal rest on April 20, 2015 in Lady Lake, FL.

The son of the late Dominic and Eleanor Buffone Arielly, he was born on January 8, 1928 in Rochester, NY, the second of their six children. He was 87.

He served in the Army Air Corps and U.S. Air Force, graduated from Brockport University, and began a 32-year career in public education. In 1956 he moved to Tri-Valley Central School in Grahamsville, NY where he taught 6th grade, and was the elementary school principal for 19 years. It was there that he met Barbara Knox, and they were married on August 24, 1957. They settled in Neversink, NY, and raised their four children there. After his retirement from teaching in 1985, Tom was elected Town Justice of the Town of Neversink, was very active in the local Lions Club. In 1994 Tom and Barbara relocated to The Villages, where they have lived since. Tom was a life-long avid golfer, bowler, and he loved the lifestyle of The Villages. He was a member of American Legion Post 347.

He is survived by Barbara, his loving wife of 57 years; four children: sons, Thomas (Iris) and Anthony (Tanis); and daughters, Lisa (Peter) and Barbara (Jack); nine grandchildren; three sisters, Michelle Luke, Gloria Stuhmiller, and Lillian Peters; and one brother, Richard; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Pearl Nau.

Memorial Mass will be Monday, July 20, 2015 at 11:45 AM in St. Peter's Roman Catholic Church, 264 No. Main Street, Liberty, NY. Monsignor Edward Straub will officiate.

Burial will be in the Rural Cemetery, Grahamsville, NY.

Memorial contributions in his name may be made to the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Harris Funeral Home, West St. at Buckley, Liberty, NY 845-292-0001 or 845-493-5200 www.Harris-FH.com