Thomas F Hallahan (1923 - 2012)

Biography

Thomas F. Hallahan Sr. Thomas F. Hallahan Sr.

July 23, 1923 - July 26, 2012 Share this obituary Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Google+ Share in Email Sign Guestbook| View Guest Book Entries

U.S. VeteranHUDSON, FL AND GREENVILLE, ME- Thomas F. Hallahan Sr. passed away on July 26, 2012.

Tom was drafted into the Army during World War II. He completed his basic training in S. Carolina and was assigned guard duty at the Imperial Palace in Japan. He was honorably discharged in June of 1947 at the end of the war.

Tom enlisted in the Navy during the Korean Conflict and was stationed in CA, dismantling war ships and tanks.

Tom returned to MA where he met and married Edith L. McCloud. They had 3 children together, Mary Ellen, Tommy Jr. and Karen. He adopted Stephen Danatti Hallahan from Edith's first marriage.

Tom and Edith (Sis) divorced in 1965. Tom went on to marry Mary Collyer Hallahan and became stepfather to Sandy, Bucky, Linda, & Dennis. Tom was a great father to 2 families. He worked for and retired from the city of Melrose doing maintenance, snowplowing, and many different tasks. Tom was a hard worker and a good provider. He also operated a tree removal business with his good friend Roy Williams. The tree removal business was done the old fashioned way, climbing trees, tying yourself off with ropes, and sending up the saws and chainsaws with ropes. It was a very dangerous job and today is considered an art form in the tree removal business.

Tom built a camp in New Hampshire and spent many a memorable weekend and vacations there with his family and friends. He loved the water and was an expert water skier. He would come home from work on his lunch hour, roll up his pant legs, get on one ski and have his son Tommy Jr. pull him around the lake 2 or 3 times. Tom would let go of the rope, glide into shore, put his boots back on and go back to work-without even getting wet! He also loved motorcycles.

After retiring from the City of Melrose, Tom became a Snowbird and spent the next 26 winters in his beloved Florida. He spent his summers visiting between the home of his children, Tommy Jr. in MA, and Karen in Maine, and took several trips to CA to visit his daughter Mary Ellen and her family.

Tom leaves behind a brother, John Hallahan and sister, Philys Hallahan Crowell. daughter Mary Ellen Ewert & husband Jim & grandson, Ryan. Grandsons Thomas F. Hallahan III and his wife Nicole. Grandsons Christopher Hallahan and Doanld Ahlgren. Daughter Karen LeClair & husband Ray and favorite grand dog, Blue, who laid in front of Grampa Hallahan's room and cried for 3 days when Tom went to live in the Nursing Home in April. Great grandchildren Mikayla and Bella. Tom's 2nd family, estranged wife Mary Collyer Hallahan and stepchildren Bucky Ofstedol and her husband Ken, Linda Davis & her husband Donald, Dennis Collyer and his wife Gena and their families. Tom was predeceased by his sister, Eileen Hallahan.

Tom lived a long and happy life. He was a great father and friend to many. He will be missed.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, August 4th, at the American Legion, 137 Ash St. Reading, MA, from 4:00 to 8:00 PM. Please come and share your memories along with some good food and friendship.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make a donation to the Alzheimer's Research Association in Tom's memory. Alzheimer's Association, 311 Arsenal St. Watertown, MA 02472 or call 1-800-272-3900.

Cremation arrangements by Crosby & Neal, Greenville.

Sources

• WikiTree profile Hallahan-2 created through the import of Towne-Weeden.ged on May 29, 2011 by J X. See the Changes page for the details of edits by J and others.

obituary: http://www.crosbyneal.com/obituary/1547201