Thomas J. McVeitty was born in Pontiac, Illinois on January 6, 1949. When he was 6-years-old, his parents, John T. and Elsie M. McVeitty, along with his sister, Dianne, moved to San Bernardino, CA. He attended Holy Rosary Catholic school, Arrowview Junior High and graduated from San Bernardino High School in 1967. He married Jennifer Lyon from San Bernardino in 1968 and they celebrated their 55th anniversary in November of 2023.
After graduating from High School, Tom joined the United States Navy and was assigned to the destroyer, “The Floyd B. Parks” out of San Diego. As a Gunner’s Mate, Grade 3, he participated in bombardments off the coast of Vietnam. He was honorably discharged from the Navy in 1969.
Tom was hired by the Rialto Fire Department in 1972. He was promoted to Fire Engineer in 1977, Fire Captain in December 1979, and Division Chief in 1982. During this time, he began attending college at San Bernardino Valley College and earned his AA in 1978. He then attended Cal State University LA and graduated in 1989 with a Bachelor of Science in Fire Science. He retired in 1999 as Division Chief. Tom was very proud of the Rialto Fire Department and made many lasting friendships that were important to him. He also enjoyed the monthly Retirees Breakfasts to reconnect with many he worked with, until he was unable to attend due to his health.
Tom is remembered as a smart and capable leader with an astute vision for the future development of the Rialto Fire Department. He treated people with dignity and respect and was genuinely a kind soul.
The following items are a list of projects that Tom worked on during his tenure at Rialto Fire Department.
• Building and staffing of Rialto Fire Department Station 204 in the Las Colinas area.
• Building of a permanent Rialto Fire Department Station 203.
• Establishment of a second medic-ambulance out of Rialto Fire Station 201.
• Establishment of a permanently staffed Rialto Fire Department Ladder Truck.
Organizational Changes
• Served as Acting Fire Chief for Rialto Fire Department for one year.
• Expanded Rialto Fire Department Code Enforcement with an additional position.
• Created an Assistant Fire Marshal Position in the Fire Prevention Division.
• Created a Fire Prevention Education Specialist position.
• Added an additional office assistant position in Fire Prevention.
• Created a Volunteer Senior Fire Prevention Program.
• In charge of developing and administering the Rialto Fire Department budget.
• Served as a Strike Team Leader and responded to the Old Topanga Fire (Malibu), 1993.
• Former member of Kiwanis and Lyons social service clubs in Rialto.
During these years at the RFD, Tom also became the proud father of his two children, daughter Heather Florea (George) born in 1973, and son Ryan (Adianez) born in 1975. His children brought much joy into his life, as well as four grandchildren, Alani, Aubrey, Selene, and Xavier. He also has two great grandchildren, Karlee and Everlee. He adored all of them! Tom’s children and nephews got the McVeitty family involved in Newmark Little League where Tom spent many years coaching, watching games and working the snack bar. He again made many new friends and enjoyed himself.
The McVeitty family was fortunate enough to be able to spend many summers in the high Sierras, at the beach or in the desert. Their camping trips were with the extended family including in-laws, nieces, nephews, and anyone else who wanted to tag along.
Tom was also involved in bluegrass festivals thanks to Bill and Judy Estes. We travelled to many festivals in California, Arizona, Nevada, Idaho, and Wyoming. He loved the music but was only a “grinner” and never a “picker”! His motorhome was the go-to place if a fellow camper needed a part or tool, as he literally packed everything he could into the bays.
In addition to his wife and children, he is survived by four grandchildren and two great grandchildren. He also leaves behind his sister Dianne Cox, his in-laws Joan and Peanut Crarry, Judy and Bill Estes as well as three nieces, four nephews, a grand-niece and a grand-nephew.
Tom passed away on April 10, 2024. He will be missed by his family, his fire department family, and many other friends that he met during his life. May he rest in peace.
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