Thomas W. Oxton, Sr.

Thomas William Oxton, Sr., 59, of 1518 Bosley Hill Rd. Readsboro, Vermont, died Thursday evening, Dec. 18th, at Albany (N.Y.) Medical Center. He was born in Teaneck, New Jersey on October 14, 1949, son of Thomas Oxton and the late Jean (Boler) Oxton. He attended schools in New Jersey, including Bergen County Vocational Technical High School. Mr. Oxton was a Veteran of the Vietnam War. He enlisted in the US Marine Corps in May of 1967, and after basic training, he went overseas as a member of the Third Marine Division. Eight months after his arrival, he was seriously wounded by a land mine in the Quang Tri province of Vietnam. After nine months of recovery in a military hospital, he became a machine gun instructor at the Marine base in Quantico, Virginia, until his retirement in February of 1970. He received the Purple Heart Medal as well as several campaign medals and unit citations. He moved to this area in the late 1970's, and graduated from the New England Tractor Trailer Training School in Boston. He worked for many years as a driver for the former R.B. Bator Trucking Co., and later worked as an independent driver for several trucking firms, until retiring in 1988. He was a member of American Legion Post 29 in Readsboro; Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 15047; the Military Order of the Purple Heart; and the Vietnam Veterans of America. He was a former member the Readsboro Volunteer Fire Dept. and the Readsboro Lions Club. He especially enjoyed spending time with his late son and his grandchildren and nephews, attending many of their sports games. Besides his father, of East Stroudsburg, PA, he is survived by his wife, the former Diane L. Ziter, whom he married on September 20, 1985; 1 Daughter, Stephanie J. Oxton of Readsboro; 1 Stepson , Gene Sebastino, Jr. of Adams; 3 Sisters , Ellen Lewis of E. Stroudsburg, PA; Mona Nelson of Oradell, N.J. and Marie LaMendola of Dumont, N.J.; 3 grandchildren, and several nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews. His son, Thomas W. "T.J." Oxton, Jr. died on March 13, 2005. A sister, Eileen Saunders, died on August 10, 1995. The funeral will be held on Saturday, December 27th, at 10:00 AM in the First Baptist Church, Commercial St. (Rt. 8) Adams, MA. Rev. Donald E. Gray will officiate. Burial will be in the Spring in South Hill Cemetery in Readsboro, Vermont. Calling hours at the PACIOREK FUNERAL HOME, 13 Hoosac St. Adams, MA will be Friday, Dec. 26 from 4 to 7 PM. Memorial donations may be made to any charity of the donor's choice through the funeral home.

Thomas W. Oxton, Sr.

October 14, 1949 - December 18, 2008