Obituary of Thomas B Larkin, Sr

Thomas B. Larkin, Sr.

1937 - 2025

Thomas B. Larkin Sr. (Ret. Oneida County Sheriff), 87, of Utica, NY passed away on March 30^th 2025 with his loving family at his side. He was born on May 26^th 1937 in Canastota, NY one of triplet sons to the late James and Barbara (Sullivan) Larkin Sr. He was educated in Rome Schools. Mr. Larkin proudly served his country in the US Navy aboard the Aircraft Carrier U.S.S Midway during the Korean Conflict. Tom was employed at the Onedia County Sheriff’s Department, a career which began in April 1968, as a Correctional officer. Moving into the Civil Division in 1971, he then advanced in his career and was promoted to Sergeant. Tom and a fellow colleague was instrumental in developing the warrants unit in the Sheriff’s Department which remains active today. He held this position until his retirement in December 1992. 

Tom is survived by his beloved wife, the former Natalie Messineo, who he wed in June 1965. His three children Thomas B. Larkin Jr. and his wife Renee (Azzarito), Lauri Larkin-Eddy and Shawn Larkin. His grandchildren; Nicole and Ryan Monaghan, Matthew Larkin, Brandon and Jennifer Eddy, Kory Eddy and fiancé Kerrie Campbell, great grandchildren; Ryan and Kylie Monaghan, Braxton and Keilan Eddy, in-laws; Christopher and Patricia Messineo, as well as several nieces and nephews with a special mention of Bill and Bonnie West, and his triplet brother Terry’s children; Mary, Richard, Dawn and William, and his good friends; Phil Gulla, Tom Marrotta, and Tom Sullivan. He was predeceased by his parents, siblings; Jean, Helen, Vernal, Maurice, James, Delton and triplet brothers Ralph and Terrance Larkin, his father and mother-in- law Charles and Lena Messineo, in-laws Sue and William Schuster and Mary-Jane and Michael DePalma. Tom was greeted by his daughter Lauri’s fur baby, Harley Barley, aka Black Jack.

The family would like to Thank the Nursing staff on 2 East at Rome Health for the exceptional care they gave to “Tommy” and to his family.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, April 05, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. at St. John the Baptist Church, 210 East Dominick Street, Rome, with the Rev. Paul F. Angelicchio officiating, where Military Honors will be rendered at the conclusion of Mass. Family and friends may call at the Nicholas J. Bush Funeral Home, Inc., 7751 Merrick Rd, Rome, on Friday April 04, 2025 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Burial will be in St. John the Baptist Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Tom’s name may be made to St Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Pl., Memphis, TN 38105-9959 or online at stjude.org/donate or to American Cancer Society, PO Box 6704, Hagerstown, MD 21741 or cancer.org/donate

To offer online condolences, please visit www.njbushfuneralhome.com.