Thomas Heard

Gales Ferry — Thomas Patrick Heard, 78, of Gales Ferry, beloved husband of fifty three years to Mary Lou (Goumas) Heard, died peacefully at home on Tuesday, May 23, 2017, surrounded by his family.

Born in Lawrence, Mass., he is the son of the late Thomas F. Heard and Annie Kate (Molloy) Heard and has lived in Gales Ferry since 1977.

He was a retired U.S. Navy Veteran, honorably serving our country from 1957-1978, and coached the Navy Youth Football League for several years.

Following his military service, he was an analyst for Analysis and Technology Company in North Stonington.

Tom was a substitute teacher for the Ledyard High School for the past 25 years and was currently still teaching up until the time of his illness. He especially enjoyed working with the special needs students while at the high school.

He loved his home, working in his garden and watching and feeding the birds that would frequent his yard. Tom enjoyed the simple pleasures in life, such as spending time with his children and grandchildren, and their yearly trips to Maine brought him the greatest pleasure. He was also an avid New England Patriots fan and season ticket holder who rarely missed a game.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by his three sons, Paul Heard and his wife, Laurie, of Lisbon, Lance Heard and his wife, Charisse, of Norwich and Shawn Heard and his wife, Katie Van Dyke-Heard, of Groton City; his former daughter-in-law, Robin Heard, of Norwich; and six grandchildren, Nicole, Rachel, T.C., Kyle, Kylie and Cooper Heard. The Heard family would like to thank Dr. S. Varma for his care and compassion given to Tom over the years.

Calling hours will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. on Friday, May 26, at the Mystic Funeral Home located on Route 1 in Mystic. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Saturday, at Our Lady of Lourdes Church on Rt. 12 in Gales Ferry where Tom was a faithful parishioner and adult altar server. Military Honors will follow immediately after mass at the church. Burial will be private.

In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to Center for Hospice SECT (hospicesect.org) or to the American Diabetes Foundation (www.diabetes.org)

The family invites you to visit www.mysticfuneralhome.com to leave a note of condolence.