Clarence J. Furnia, Jr., 93
Clarence J. Furnia Jr., 93, passed away at home surrounded by his loving family and friends due to congestive heart failure on Oct. 1,2024. He was born 1931 in Chateauguay, New York; the son of Clarence and Mary (Harness) Furnia. Clarence graduated from St. Joseph’s Academy in Malone, New York, where he was active in band and theatre, basketball, baseball and cross country. Following graduation, he enlisted in the Air Force where he served for 20 years traveling as a mobile communications specialist in the USA, Europe and Asia. Upon his Air Force retirement, he worked with his brother Robert as a broker sales representative to the dairy industry in the New England region for thirty years. His children loved sampling new ice cream flavors.
He met and married Barbara Sullivan, the love of his life, in California in May 1952. They were married for 68 years and raised five children, Joe, Lisa, Mark, Mike and Matt. They moved from Massachusetts to Montana in 2005 and built a home in Glacier Hills where Bob Spoklie dubbed him, "the Mayor of Glacier Hills." He loved design and construction, sharing his thoughts with friends and neighbors. CJ is known for his kindness, helpfulness and friendliness to his neighbors.
CJ a loving son, brother, husband and father was preceded in death by his parents, brothers, Robert, Jack, Larry and sisters Anna Mae and Janet.
He was also preceded in death by his wife, Barbara and son Matthew.
Surviving family are, daughter Lisa Bruso and husband Ben; sons Joe Furnia and wife Gloria; Mark Furnia and wife Donna; and Mike Furnia. He is also survived by eight grandchildren, Stephen McLaughlin, Eric McLaughlin, Marisa Pronovost, Christina Flores, Mary J. Furnia, Michael J. Furnia, Heather Columbiana, and Matthew Furnia; 12 great-grandchildren, Michael N., Alice, Ryan, Garrett, Violet, Rocco, Jack, Adaline, Liam, Grace, Zoie and Austyn.
A Catholic service will be held at 11 a.m. on Oct. 11, at St. Richard Catholic Church, 1210 Ninth St. W., Columbia Falls, followed immediately by a reception. Burial will be at a later date in Massachusetts. Donations can be made to St. Richard’s Parish in memory of Clarence J. Furnia or the Veterans organization, Tunnel to Towers Foundation, 2361 Hylan Boulevard, Staten Island, NY 10306.
