Anthony J. Larkin

Anthony J. “Tony” Larkin, age 70, of New Philadelphia, passed away peacefully, early Friday morning in his home following a yearlong battle with cancer. Born at Dennison, January 5, 1940, he was a son of Marjorie Foreman Larkin of New Philadelphia, and the late William Larkin. Best known as “Tony” to his family and friends, he attended school at New Philadelphia High before beginning a career that met his keen interest in heavy and earth moving equipment. Even as a young boy, Tony would claim to “smell the dirt” being moved, and could walk several miles only to be proven correct. This uncanny sense of direction and his expertise in operating heavy equipment would prove instrumental in his work with Ben Cookson Inc. His affiliation with the company spanned more than half of his life, more than forty years, before his retirement in 2002. Although in later years, he didn’t operate heavy equipment, Tony enjoyed long drives in the country, appreciating the nature scenes and animals â?? but Tony managed to spot at least a handful of equipment operators while on tour. When time allowed, he’d park the car and watch the progress being made by man’s ingenuity and machine’ might.In addition to his service at Cookson, Tony was also a member of Operator’s & Engineer’s Local #18. In his spare time, he enjoyed attending the Dover Steam Show, and demonstrations put on by the Stumptown Thrashers Association of New Athens, Ohio. Survivors include his wife, the former Faye Davidson of New Philadelphia, and a son; Rodney Larkin of New Philadelphia. He’ll be sadly missed by his best friend and companion of 18 years; Carol Hensley of New Philadelphia, and her family, whom Tony loved as his own; Tammy (John) Snyder of New Philadelphia, Bob Hensley of New Philadelphia, Tim Hensley of Port Washington, and Mike Hensley of Columbus, Ohio. Their grandchildren; Lacey Hensley of Newcomerstown, Timmy Hensley of Port Washington, Kennedy Hensley of Newcomerstown, and Jeremy Hensley of Columbus. A great-grandson Landon Jenkins of Newcomerstown, also survives. Numerous nieces and nephews complete the family. In addition to his father, Tony is preceded in death by his son, Kenneth Larkin in 1991. Wherever there is dirt to move and heavy equipment to run, Tony will always be in our hearts and minds.Friends are invited to call Tuesday, June 1, 2010 from 2-4 and from 6-8 in the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home & Crematory at New Philadelphia. Pastor Brian Flood will lead the Larkin funeral Wednesday afternoon, June 2, at 1:30 in the funeral home’s chapel. Interment will follow in Ridgecrest Memory Gardens. Those unable to attend are invited to share memories and condolences with the family by visiting the funeral home’s website. In gratitude for their exemplary care, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to Hospice of Tuscarawas County, 201 West Third Street, Dover, OH 44622.