Thomas Patrick Faughnan

With heavy hearts, the Faughnan family wish to announce the passing of our family patriarch, Tom Faughnan. His zest for life, sense of humor, free flowing opinions, “constructive” advice (often unsolicited), frequent phone calls, and unwavering love for his family and friends will be deeply missed.

Tom Faughnan passed away at his home in Arvada, CO in the early morning of October 28th with his family by his side. He was born on February 23, 1931, in Brooklyn, New York to Irish-immigrant parents, Thomas and Mary Faughnan. He married his beautiful wife Joan in 1954. Their marriage of 68 years brought eight children, 21 grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren. He was also the beloved Uncle Tom to his many nephews and nieces. He was the heart of the Faughnan clan, always actively connecting and touching many lives across a large family from New York to Florida to Colorado to Ireland with his support, love, and laughter.

He worked much of his life as a “sandhog” building the tunnels under New York City before moving his family to Colorado in 1976 to work on the completion of the Eisenhower Tunnel in Summit County. Born during the Great Depression and raising eight children on a workman's wage, he instilled many values in his children, but nothing was more "sinful" than paying the full retail price (for anything). It was often debated what delighted him more: a good party or a good "deal".

He spent his later years showing his grandkids the world, looking for festive celebrations, playing practical jokes, calling almost everyone he knew daily, and filling his large family with love, laughs, and support. A year ago, he staged his own “rehearsal” funeral so he could critique what people said about him, while finding another reason to celebrate life with family and friends. https://youtu.be/U_TjTo_Mcv0

We will honor Tom Faughnan and his 91 years of a life well-lived with a memorial service at 9:30 am on Friday, November 18, 2022, at Olinger Crown Hill, located at 7777 W 29th Ave Wheat Ridge, CO 80033. Following the service there will be a funeral procession with burial at Fort Logan National Cemetery at 4400 W Kenyon Ave, Denver, CO 80236.

Following the burial there will a gathering at Max Gill & Grill, 1052 S Gaylord St, Denver, CO 80209, from 1:30pm - 3:30pm with food, drink, stories, tears, laughter, and good people -- just as Tom Faughnan would enjoy!

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Tom’s' memory may be made to the CHRISTOPHER E. FAUGHNAN MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP FUND. Tom’s son Chris lost his life on September 11, 2001 in the World Trade Center. A scholarship is given each year in his memory to an Arvada High School student who displays character and commitment to make the world a better place.

https://jeffcoschoolsfoundation.networkforgood.com/projects/95001-christopher-e-faughnan-memorial-scholarship