Thomas McCarthy

East Lyme — Thomas F. McCarthy passed away on the evening of Aug. 30, 2018, while in the loving care of his longtime companion, Shirley Langford of East Lyme. He was predeceased by his wife of 48 years, Patricia A., and his grandson Thomas III.

He is survived by his sister Kristina Lynch of Easton, his children Thomas of Naperville, Ill., Nancy of Alexandria, Va., Sarah of Gales Ferry, and Robin of Naperville, Ill. He is also survived by his grandchildren Margaret, Kathryn, Jillian, Kevin, Adam, Mary and David.

Tom was born Dec. 6, 1935, in New York City, and grew up there in Jackson Heights. He attended New York State Maritime Academy, graduating in 1956, received his master’s in mechanical engineering from University of Minnesota in 1959, and his Ph.D. from University of Connecticut in 1971. He worked for Electric Boat for 41 years, attempting retirement several times starting in 2001, but stepped back into EB many times, finally stopping work for good in 2017.

In addition to answering the phone with a hearty “yellow!” he was known for many proverbs and aphorisms, among these, “it’s still good!” and “they’re a joy forever, they’re a joy forever…”

His basement and attic are an ongoing testament to his most famous adage of, “Keep a thing long enough …”He was much loved for his caring spirit and gentle heart by all who knew him. The many animals in the woods around his house were fed upon Critter Rock, house spiders were rescued and re-homed outdoors, never killed, even plants cast upon the compost heap did not escape; they were brought to his basement for rehabilitation under his constantly glowing grow lights.

Calling hours will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 7, at Fulton Theroux Funeral Service, 181 Ocean Ave., New London. A funeral Mass will be held at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 8, at Our Lady of Lourdes Church, 1650 Route 12, Gales Ferry. A burial will immediately follow at Avery Stoddard Cemetery, located at 202 Stoddards Wharf Road, Gales Ferry.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Center for Hospice Care SE, 27 Dunham St, Norwich, CT 06360.