Final Salute

Tolokonsky, Norman Stephen NISKAYUNA With sadness in our heart we announce the passing of our loving husband, father and Pop-Pop, Norman Stephen Tolokonsky, on April 1, 2021. We will do our best to fit his large personality into a 400 word obituary. Norm was born on April 10, 1944, to Morris and Anne Tolokonsky in Brooklyn. He spent his first few years living in Medford, Oregon and his family returned to Albany, N.Y. in 1946 where he grew up. He was a graduate of Albany High School and Hudson Valley CC, and attended Murray State. Following in his father’s footsteps, Norm served his country in Vietnam. He leaned on his skills as a plumber when he enlisted in the Navy as a Seabee. When he returned home from the war, he met his wife and love of his life, Linda; they were married on Mother’s Day, May 11, 1969. She was first attracted to Norm because he was a great dancer, and the two of them danced beautifully together throughout their 51 years of marriage. After the birth of his first son, Norm came to work for his father-in-law at Rudnick’s. He loved the interactions with the customers and traveling throughout the Northeast selling uniforms. Norm adored his children, and was a loving and supportive father. When his kids were young, he became very involved in their sports, traveling with the boys to hockey tournaments and his daughter to figure skating competitions. He always bemoaned the kids grew up too fast! His found so much joy being Pop-Pop to his grandchildren. He loved playing poker, and later developed a passion for golf. He played at the Edison Club and then Shaker Ridge. He often joked that any day ending in a “y” was a good day to play golf. Norm had an unforgettable personality; his outgoing nature, booming voice and infectious laugh ensured he made a new friend wherever he went. His family was always amazed how many people knew Norm, no matter where they were even away on vacation. He left his wallet once at a restaurant while vacationing in St. Martin, and the wallet was returned because the owner was a Union College grad who remembered Norm from his visits to Rudnick’s. Norm was predeceased by his father and mother and his sister, Elaine Elansky. He is survived by his wife Linda; son Mitchell and wife Ashley; son Adam, daughter Kerri and husband, Michael; and his grandchildren Sydney, Elena, Jack and Grace, and many loving family members and friends. Funeral services will be held April 6 at 1:30 p.m. at Saratoga National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory at Disabled American Veterans at www.dav.org.