Thomas William McNaney

Thomas William McNaney, 89, passed away peacefully at his home in John Knox Village. Tom was surrounded by his loving wife, Judy, and his four daughters, Heidi, Gretel, Piper and Mathy, whom he referred to as his gems.

Tom was born in 1933 to Thomas and Evelyn McNaney in Walton, New York, growing up a proud Irish Catholic.

He attended Utica Academy, where he met love with Judy Hagues.

At Utica Academy, he earned his Eagle Scout badge. After high school, Tom joined the U.S. Air Force and was sent to Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi, Mississippi, where he and Judy were married. From Biloxi, he went to Chanute Air Force Base in Rantoul, Illinois. For four years, Tom was an airman by day, and by night and weekends, he had multiple part-time jobs. There was the laundromat, the drugstore, bartending at Champaign Country Club, and his own lawn service. Tom always hoped hard work meant more opportunities and a better life for his family.

Tom completed his four-year tour of duty in the Air Force and enrolled in the University of Illinois on the GI Bill. After two years of school, Tom started his civilservice career with the Air Force at Chanute AFB, and shortly thereafter, transferred to the Naval Training Device Center in Orlando, in simulation and training at an entry-level position. He returned to college nights, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in math from Rollins College. The next year, he was awarded a sabbatical and earned a Master of Arts in computer science from the University of Central Florida (FTU), and later earned an Ed. S from UCF.

Tom moved up the career ladder, first as a branch head then division head, and on to department head. Tom headed up the prestigious TAEG, a training-evaluation group, establishing the newest technology in simulation. The Naval Training Device Center moved to UCF’s Research Park, teaming with students and establishing state-of-the-art technology for training and simulation. After 46 years, Tom retired from the Naval Air Warfare Center, Training Systems Division as COO of the organization.

Following his retirement from civil service, Tom worked in the private sector as vice president for Dual Inc., focusing on artificial intelligence for training and simulation systems.

Tom continued mentoring

Seminole State College.

Tom was an avid golfer. He and dancers, and traveled the world.

Tom was genuinely charismatic and enjoyed having an engaging conversation with everyone. He was kind, caring, and a humble person. He loved spending time with his family. He participated in his daughters’ sporting and music events throughout the years. And later, his grandchildren’s, making sure they knew of his love, support and dedication in achieving their highest potential. Tom hosted the grandchildren, from birth to college, and their parents at the Disney Vacation Club at Disney World over each Thanksgiving vacation. The family Christmas was always at his home.

Tom lived a long and amazing life. His heart lives on through his wife, daughters, grandchildren, family, friends, and those who worked with him.

He is survived by his devoted wife of 69 years, Judy; his four daughters, Heidi, M.D. (Bill) Flint of Jensen Beach, FL; Gretel McNaney of DeLand, FL; Piper (Tom) Brien of Wallingford, CT; and Mathy (Tim) Hogan of Cocoa Beach, FL; six grandchildren, Meagan Flint of Boston, MA; Madison Flint of Gainesville, FL; Hannah (Christopher) Reichart of Jacksonville, FL; Benjamin Hogan of Salt Lake City, UT; Maggie Brien of Fort Worth, TX, and Liam Brien of Wallingford, CT; two great-grandchildren, Christopher and Henry Reichart; and siblings Carolyn Dellwo, Barbara (Carl) Thurnau, and Richard (Pauline) McNaney.

He was preceded in death by a brother, Donald McNaney. Also sister-in-law Linda Crumb; brothers-in-law Stanley (Lynn) Hagues and Walter (Shari) Hagues; and many nieces and nephews and their families. and teaching

Judy at and were fell

UCF in and ballroom