CLOHERTY, Thomas Michael
Age 83, passed away on January 2, 2024 surrounded by his loving family following a long battle with Parkinsonism and Lewy Body Dementia. Even when communication became difficult, he maintained his sense of humor.
Tom was born in Boston, MA on December 17, 1940, where he had maintained a number of lifelong friends. He was predeceased by his parents, Nora Welby and Martin Cloherty, who had immigrated from Ireland; and his youngest brother, Charles Cloherty.
Tom is survived by his wife, Susan Harrison, with whom he spent many wonderful family and friend filled years in Brewster, MA and Sarasota, FL. As his disease progressed, they moved to a cottage in Avery Heights in Hartford, CT, where the available healthcare services and support allowed the family to have a peaceful and meaningful life. His last year was spent in the Burnham Memory Care Unit, where he was lovingly cared for by the staff. It was only a 4 min. walk each day for Sue, family and friends to visit him for hours, relishing every remaining minute with him.
Tom leaves his siblings who continue to live in the Boston area: Rev. Francis J. Cloherty, John Cloherty,M.D. and Margaret Hughes. In addition to his siblings, he leaves many nieces and nephews.
Tom is survived by his children, Keri (Kedar Deshpande) and Michael (Alexis Papageorge); and five grandchildren: Jack, Lily and Sophie Cloherty and Garrett and Kaitlin Deshpande.
Tom also leaves Sue’s Mom, Vera Borowik; Sue’s children, Beth (Dennis) Small, Krystyn (David Eggleton) and Mark Zabawa; along with Sue’s seven grandchildren: Kate and Lauren Small, Michael, Kelsey, Ally and Sydnee Eggleton and Teddy Zabawa.
Tom attended BC Prep School followed by Boston College, where he graduated with a BA in Government Studies. During these school years, Tom enjoyed being a baseball catcher, ice hockey goalie, and tight end football player. In his later years, he thought he’d have to abandon active sports but, not so. He and Sue then found the game of Pickleball, taught their kids and grandkids the game. Tom played enthusiastically until about six years ago, after Tom had accumulated several medals and could no longer meet the rigors of any sport.
In July 1963, Tom volunteered for the Navy and entered OCS-Officer Candidate School in Newport, RI. After tours of duty in Guantanamo Bay and Europe, he went to Patuxent River, MD and became the Operations Manager for the DASH Drone Unmanned Helicopter program. Upon his discharge as a Lieutenant, he attended Duquesne Law School in Pittsburgh, PA. He continued his 30-year law career at Murtha Cullina LLP in Hartford, CT. During this time, he was a member of the American and Connecticut Bar Associations.
Funeral Service will be Saturday, January 13, 10:00 a.m. at St John’s Episcopal Church, 679 Farmington
Ave., West Hartford. Interment will be Monday, January 15, 10:00 a.m. in Massachusetts National Cemetery, 1 Connery Ave., Bourne, MA.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Avery Heights,
550 Avery Heights, Hartford, CT
06106. The memo line should reference “In Memory of Thomas Cloherty” or contributions in Tom’s memory may go to St. John’s Episcopal Church, 679 Farmington Avenue, West Hartford, CT 06119.
Online condolences may be made at www.SheehanHilbornBreen.com