Auburn Citizen-Advertiser, May 27, 1957
Services for Thomas E. Major, 85, of School Street, Skaneateles, who died Friday night were at 8:15 a.m. today at the family home with a solemn high Mass of requiem at 9 a.m. in St. Mary’s of the Lake Church, Skaneateles. Burial was in St. Mary’s Cemetery.
Mr. Major was the father of Judge Charles T. Major of the Court of Claims and Sarto M Major, Onondaga County undersheriff.
He operated a barber shop in Skaneateles until five years ago. He was also formerly employed by the Glenside Woolen Mills and the Waterbury Felt Co. of Skaneateles Falls.
During his youth Mr. Major was a topnotch ballplayer and pitched for the old Skaneateles Lakeshore Ball Club. He was also active in the now defunct Skaneateles Falls School Board.
He was born Sept. 18, 1871 in Skaneateles Falls, the son of Charles and Margaret Mallon Major.
He was a communicant and trustee of St. Bridget’s Church in Skaneateles Falls; a member of its Holy Name Society; and a member of Auburn Assembly Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus. He was a life member of the Auburn Council, Knights of Columbus.
Besides Judge Major and Undersheriff Major are twin sons, Floyd J. and Lloyd F. Major, both of Skaneateles Falls; two daughters, Miss Laura M. Major and Mrs. James O’Shea, both of Skaneateles Falls; two sisters, Mrs. Patrick Wickham and Mrs. Thomas Heverin, both of Syracuse; two brothers, Michael J. of Syracuse and Joseph Major of Skaneateles Falls; 14 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
Auburn Citizen Advertiser, May 10, 1947
Mrs. Ellen L. McCarthy Major, wife of Thomas Major, died suddenly at her home in Skaneateles Falls Friday evening following a cerebral hemmorrhage, which she suffered 24 hours before her death.
Mrs. Major was born in Skaneateles Falls and had always resided there. She is survived by her husband; two daughters, Miss Laura Major and Mrs. James O’Shea of Skaneateles Falls; five sons, Judge Charles T. Major and James of Skaneateles, Floyd and Lloyd of Skaneateles Falls, and Patrolman John E. Major of Auburn; 13 grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
The funeral will leave the home Tuesday morning at 9 o’clock. Services will be held at St. Mary’s of The Lake Church, Skaneateles, at 9:30. Burial will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery.
Lightning can strike twice;
just ask Thomas Major
Skaneateles Democrat, July 31, 1919
One of the most severe storms in the history of this place [Skaneateles Falls] took place Saturday night. The steeple of St. Bridget’s Church was smashed to slivers, the home of Thomas E. Major was struck by lightning twice and the home of Mrs. Dennis Clark was also struck. Much damage was done on all four occasions.
Skaneateles Press, January 20, 1950
A fire which originated in a smudge in the chimney of the Thomas E. Major home in Skaneateles Falls, did considerable damage to the place about 7:30, a week ago last night, Thursday, January 12.
High winds, which were prevailing both on the night before and on Friday night following the blaze, happily were not a problem during the fire, so the blaze was confined mostly to the second floor.
The amount of damage done was not as yet known.
The blaze was discovered by Miss Laura Major, who keeps house for her father, and Skaneateles firemen under First Assistant Chief George Spearing and Second Assistant Chief Charles Lansbury Sr. responded. Firemen from Mottville assisted.
Though the fire began about 7:30 p.m., the firemen were kept there until about 10 p.m., running down the source of the blaze which was breaking out in various parts of the walls and the attic roof.
Considerable water damage was done in fighting the persistent blaze.
Thomas Major, owner of the home, is father of Charles T. and Sarto Major of Skaneateles. He and Miss Major are making their home with relatives while the home is undergoing repairs. |