Obituary of Thomas G. "Chicky" Tolnay

Thomas G. Tolnay, affectionately known as "Chicky," was born March 12, 1938. He passed away on Monday, October 28, 2024, in Delhi, NY, his loving wife, Joyce, by his side.

Tom’s deep love for life is evident in his many accomplishments. He was a husband, a father, a writer, a publisher, and a businessman. He founded Birchbrook Press, where he and his wife hand-set letter type to publish more than a hundred works over a time span of more than twenty years. He loved the “great outdoors”, especially the Adirondacks, and he relished the times he could go tent camping and canoeing with Joyce and his two children, Tom and Cassy.  His ideals led him to strive toward a self-sufficient lifestyle, where he prided himself with trying to “live off the land.” He was a beekeeper, gardener, lumberjack, “Mr. Fix-it”, mechanic, fly fisherman, and avid sports fan. He closely followed the New York Yankees and the Buffalo Bills, but also rooted for Syracuse Basketball, “The Orange”. He had a great appreciation for music, his favorite was always the big band era, including Count Basie, Tommy Dorsey, Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, and Barbra Streisand. Tom embraced family life and the holidays with a true Dickens and Frank Capra like idealism, building a lifetime of joy and memories. 

Tom is survived by Joyce Tolnay, his devoted and loving life-long partner of sixty-three years. He also leaves behind his son: Thomas F. Tolnay; his daughter: Cassy Tolnay-Clarcq; his uncle: John Demos; and four grandchildren: Stephen and Emily Tolnay and Carissa and Jonathan Clarcq. 

A devoted husband, father, intellectual, and adventurer, Tom’s love and enthusiasm for life is a lasting example for all those he left behind. He will be missed. 

Please join us to honor Tom’s memory on Thursday, November 7th at 3:00 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church, 66 Chestnut Street, Oneonta, NY. A small reception will follow.

In lieu of flowers, planting a tree, or making a donation to diabetes or kidney research would be greatly appreciated.

Please visit www.macarthurfh.com to share a condolence with Tom’s family.