Thomas F “Tom” McEnaney of Lynn passed away on September 18, 2014 surrounded by his family after a brief illness. Tom shared 55 years of marriage with his devoted wife Shirley. He was a long time educator, Catholic lay volunteer and pet lover.
Born in Lynn, Massachusetts on November 10, 1934, Tom was the son of the late John J. McEnaney, originally of Monaghan, Ireland, and the late Margaret (Fahey) McEnaney, originally from Tuam, Ireland. He attended St Mary’s High School, and graduated from Lynn English in 1953. He received both a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Education from Salem State College.
Tom had a successful 40 year career as an educator, primarily in the Lynnfield Public Schools. He began his career as an English teacher and track coach for the North Reading school system. After several years, he moved to the Lynnfield school system, beginning as an elementary school teacher, and later becoming a Guidance Counselor at Lynnfield Jr High School (later named Lynnfield Middle School). Tom served the youth and community of Lynnfield for over 35 years as a guidance counselor, retiring in 1996. In addition, he taught Psychology for many years as an Associate Professor at North Shore Community College, where he also help to develop their first certificate program for training Education Para Professionals/Teachers Aids.
Beyond his public education career, Tom also worked part time for over 20 years for Filenes at the North Shore Shopping Center in Peabody. He served as the night manager there for his entire tenure with the company, charming both customers and associates alike with his quick wit and skill at customer relations.
Tom was active in local Catholic churches, serving for many years as a lay reader and CCD Director at St Francis of Assisi parish in Lynn. Recently a regular parishioner at St Pius V, Tom served as a Eucharistic Minister for the Catholic faith at Union Hospital.
Involved for a number of years in Lynn politics, Tom served as campaign manager for the Mayoral campaigns of both Pasquale “Patsy” Caggiano and Vincent “Vinny” McManus. He also ran unsuccessfully for City Council.
Through the years, Tom participated and led a variety of Lynn community organizations, including serving as President in the 1970’s of the Greater Lynn Mental Health Association (now called Bridgewell) and President of the Lynn Public Schools Band Boosters. He also was a member of the Lynn Community Development Council.
Tom is a veteran of the Massachusetts National Guard, where he served honorably for nine years in the 1950’s.
In addition to his wife, Tom is survived by his son John T. McEnaney and his partner Cathy Vaucher of Swampscott, his daughter Kelly D’Ambrosio and her husband Domenic of Lynn. He is also survived by his grandsons Thomas P. and Brendan C. McEnaney both of Swampscott, his sister Mary Tirabassi, and nephews Jimmy Tirabassi and David Tirabassi of Peabody. Tom was also the uncle to the late Kevin Tirabassi of Peabody. A devoted pet owner, having a number of dogs, cats, and one rabbit over the years, Tom is survived by his cat Anna and dog Little Bits.
A Memorial Service will be held at the First Church in Swampscott Congregational, 40 Monument Ave, SWAMPSCOTT on Saturday, October 4, 2014 at 11:00AM. Relatives and friends invited. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy in his memory may be donated to the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, 350 South Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02130.
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