ILION-Thomas E. "Tom" Fort, Jr., age 42, of Barringer Road, passed away on Thursday afternoon, September 8, 2011 in Ilion. He was born on January 25, 1969 in Ilion, son of Thomas E. Fort, Sr., of Ilion and Elaine P. (Baker) Billings of Ilion. He graduated from Utica College with a degree in Criminal Justice. On September 23, 1995 he was joined in marriage with Tina M. Failing in Annunciation Church, Ilion; a union of nearly 16 years. He entered into service with the New York State Police on October 12, 1992 and earned the rank of Investigator on February 4, 1999 and eventually the rank of Sgt. On May 3, 2007. During his 18 year tenure with the state police he was a hostage negotiator, crime scene technician and a polygraphist. Tom was successful in the personal roles of his life and devoted to his family which earned him the admiration and respect of his wife and children. He served as an excellent and inspiring role model while performing his duties as a New York State Trooper and eventually as a Sgt. and Investigator. He loved sports, golfing and especially coaching his children's sports teams. Tom will be forever remembered by his family and friends. Survivors include his beloved family; his wife, Tina (Failing) Fort of Ilion; a daughter, Morgan Fort; a son, Brett Fort; his mother and step father, Elaine and William Billings of Ilion; his father, Thomas Fort, Sr., of Ilion; mother in law, Donna Bailey of Little Falls; father in law, Marty Failing of Little Falls; grandmother, Eleanor Kuhner of Ilion; sisters and brother in laws, Nicole and Gary Stuart of Scotia and Kelly and Sam Dickenson of Glens Falls; brother in law and companion, Paul Failing and Adrian DePetro of Little Falls; step brother and sister in law, Steve and Amy Billings of Dolgeville; numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins as well as many great friends. He was preceded in death by his maternal grandfather, Frank Baker; paternal grandparents, Leland and Betty Fort and by an uncle, Robert Fort. Relatives and friends are invited to visitation at the Enea Family Funeral Home (Harry, Kevin, and Daniel Enea-Directors), 4309 Acme Road, between Ilion and Frankfort, 894-8000, on Tuesday, September 13, 2011 from 4-8 p.m. The funeral will commence on Wednesday, September 14, 2011 at 11 am from the chapel of the Enea Family Funeral Home, Ilion/Frankfort with the Rev. Ann Wicks pastor of First Calvary Baptist Church, Utica officiating. Procession will follow to Armory Hill Cemetery, Ilion where he will be laid to rest. Kindly consider memorial offerings to the memorial fund that will be set up for Tom's children. Envelopes will be available at the funeral parlor. The family would like to thank the Ilion Police Department and the New York State Police for all their support at this difficult time.