Nathaniel (Tom) Oddy

Tom joined the New York State National Guard just prior to World War II starting and was drafted into the Army and shipped over to France to push the German Army back to the Maginot Line in the summer of 1944. As a member of the 100th Division they liberated a town called Bitche’, France in the Vosage Mountains. His regiment, 398th was known as “The Sons of Bitche’ and the town has a memorial to the 100th Division to this day with that namesake. Tom suffered wounds during an ambush on Thanksgiving Day 1944 and was awarded the Purple Heart.

After the war, Tom took his GI Bill and started Upstate Vending with his business partner Jack LaHart from Lake Placid. Together they grew the business and a later acquired Hunington Novelty in Saranac Lake from Duke Hunington who helped Jack and Tom get started in the vending business.

Tom, along with some doctors in the area, brought cable TV to Saranac lake by incorporating and set a signal antenna on Mt. Pisgah for reception.

He volunteered for the Lake Placid Junior Ski Jumpers as a Judge for their ski jumping meets. In retirement he collected sap and made maple syrup, tapping trees all over Saranac Lake to harvest.

Tom loved football and played for the Saranac Lake Redskins and that love of the game would stay with him as an avid fan and follower of the “GOAT” Tom Brady for his entire life. He loved to hunt and fish and enjoyed seeing his extended family grow and visit. He was an expert at throwing sarcasm at his caregivers and took the same from them, with a great sense of humor.

He is survived by two daughters Peg (Barry) Cantwell of Saranac Lake, Mary (Donn) Diefenbacher of Marcy, New York, four sons Thomas (Meg) Oddy of Grantham, New Hampshire, Patrick (Debbie) Oddy of Danville, New Hampshire, Kevin (Jennifer) Oddy of Saranac Lake, and Dennis (Christy) Oddy of Highlands Ranch, Colorado, 13 grandchildren, 9 great grandchildren, many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by one son, Michael James Oddy, and two grandchildren, Natalie Oddy, of Vermontville/Saranac Lake and Nate Oddy, Danville, New Hampshire.

He adopted two additional “children” from Tupper Lake late in life in 2014, Dave and Diane LaBlanc, and welcomed them to his family.

Calling hours will take place at the Fortune-Keough Funeral Home in Saranac Lake on Friday, May 29 from 5 to 7 p.m. A mass of Christian burial will take place at 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 30 at St. Bernard’s Church in Saranac Lake. Burial will follow at St. Bernard Cemetery in Saranac Lake.

Friends wishing to remember Nathaniel T. Oddy may make memorial contributions to Saranac Lake Rescue Squad in care of the funeral home. Family and friends can also share their memories and sign the online guestbook at fortunekeoughfuneralhome.com.