Obituary of Thomas J. Jordan

Thomas Joseph Jordan, 88, of Ballston Lake, passed away on October 12, 2014 in Scotia. Born in Scranton, Pennsylvania to Thomas Joseph Jordan Sr. and Anna Moran Jordan on April 1, 1926, he is preceded in death by his parents and by siblings Walter, Mary and James Jordan and Katherine Krinock. Like many in his generation, he enlisted in Army as soon as he turned eighteen. He served in the Army Air Corps 1944-1946, where he developed a love of flying that lasted a lifetime. After his discharge, he attended the University of Scranton, and then transferred to Penn State University where he graduated with a degree in chemical engineering. Tom married his high school sweetheart, Gloria Moran, July 5, 1947. They had five children: Alane (Robert) Starko, Robert Jordan, Mark Jordan, Bruce (Carol) Jordan and Diane Jordan. Shortly after their marriage, Tom began a nearly 40-year career with General Electric that ranged from problem solving in early plastics to the development of robotic assembly lines. He enjoyed family camping trips, particularly when they gave him the chance to sail. His Catholic faith was an essential part of his life. He served as a Eucharistic minister for St. Edward the Confessor Church in Clifton Park. Gloria Moran Jordan died in 1973. After her death, Tom married Sara Marie (Sally) Murphy Rodgers. They were married June 16, 1975, bringing three more daughters into Tom’s life: Nancy Rodgers (Rudy) Paulsen, Patrice Rodgers, and Jeanine Rodgers (Marty) Caruso. He loved them as his own. Sally and Tom enjoyed 39 years of marriage and loved to travel, the theatre, and great restaurants. They wintered in Florida for several years after retirement. Tom’s analytic mind, faith, love, brilliant blue eyes, and sense of humor extended to the last days of his life, and he taught us to how to pass with grace. He is survived by his wife Sally Jordan, all eight children, ten grandchildren, Melissa, Alix, Katie and Maggie Jordan, Lauren (Robert) Ciallela, Michael Paulsen, Kaitlyn and Kevin Wilson, and Jonathan and Justin Caruso, and one great granddaughter Carly Rose Ciallella. Calling hours will be held on Monday from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at St. Edward the Confessor Church Chapel, with a funeral Mass at 12 noon. Burial will follow at Saratoga National Cemetery, 200 Duell Road, Schuylerville, NY. The family requests no flowers be sent. Instead, memorial contributions may be made in his memory to St. Edward the Confessor Building Fund, 569 Clifton Park Center Road, Clifton Park, NY 12065.