Thomas Francis Valleau

Thomas Francis Valleau, 88, passed away peacefully on April 6 at the Gosnell Memorial Hospice House surrounded by loved ones. Tom lived a full life that was guided by his commitment to public service, his love for family and friends, and an adventurous spirit.

Born in 1936 in Elizabeth, New Jersey, Tom was one of four children of Helen (Beard) and T. Frank Valleau and spent most of his childhood in Buffalo, New York. Seeking adventure after high school graduation, he moved to Aspen, Colorado, where he became a ski bum, tended bar at the famous Hotel Jerome, and earned a degree from the University of Colorado Boulder.

After graduating from college, and in true Tom fashion, he embarked on a year-long globe-trotting adventure with his friend Rex. Their travels began aboard a Japanese freighter to Yokohama, followed by a steamship to Peninsular Malaysia and a cargo ship across the Bay of Bengal to Calcutta, India. From there, they journeyed over 3,200 miles by motorcycle, passing through Kathmandu on their way to Beirut, Lebanon. Tom’s letters home from this trip are remarkable to read and the perspective he gained seemed to shape the way he lived the rest of his life, instilling in him dogged determination to keep moving forward and embrace life’s twists and turns.

Upon returning to the United States, Tom moved to Philadelphia and in 1966 married the love of his life, Patricia Thompson. Tom and Patty, along with their two daughters, eventually settled in Portland, Maine, where they lived in the close-knit Rosemont neighborhood for nearly fifty years.

Tom began his career as head of Portland’s Urban Renewal Authority and later served in several municipal roles during a transformative period for the city. He played a pivotal role in modernizing Portland’s airport and seaport operations, bringing the city its first cruise ship, expanding airport terminals, and helping to develop the Portland Fish Pier and Fish Exchange. After 28 years of service to the City of Portland, Tom continued his career as head of the North Atlantic Ports Association. Throughout his 50-year career, he attributed his successes to working with smart people whose advice he valued deeply, many of whom became lifelong friends.

Tom’s commitment to public service extended beyond his career, volunteering on many civic boards. One of his most meaningful board roles was with the Portland Housing Authority, where he was especially proud to have spearheaded a scholarship program for residents of public housing in Portland to pursue higher education. Tom’s family is honored to share the PHA scholarship has been formally re-named the Thomas Valleau Scholarship Program.

Tom’s inquisitive nature led him to develop many hobbies. Each summer, he and Patty sailed for weeks to the far reaches of Down East, Maine. He navigated with precision in an era before GPS, using his meticulous logbooks and what he referred to as “dead reckoning.” These voyages produced friendships that lasted through the decades. When advancing age made sailing impractical, Tom turned his focus to golf. He joined a dedicated group of early-morning golfers at Riverside Golf Course. His lofty goal was that his golf score be lower than his age, but this only happened once when he proudly shot a 78 at age 80. He always pushed his own clubs, even in his late eighties. His favorite golf partners were his grandsons, Ben, Sam, and Charlie.

Tom was a lifelong student of poker and chess, an avid reader and library patron, a daily exerciser, a talented writer who colorfully chronicled his life journeys, and a proudly frugal Mainer who could engineer a fix for just about anything. Tom had a life-long affection for cats, a trait he passed on to his only granddaughter Blake. A self-taught craftsman, his favorite creation was an elegant wooden rowboat that he christened the Mary Patricia, in loving tribute to his wife, Patty. Tom took every opportunity to travel and never lost his sense of wanderlust. He and Patty traveled extensively, with their favorite destination being a simple cottage on Sanibel Island that they returned to year after year.

Tom was a steady, grounding presence to his daughters and to Patty, standing firmly by her side for 58 years until her recent passing on March 4. He is survived by devoted daughters Laura (and Tim) Healey of Nottingham, NH, and Megan (and Jeff) Austin of Brunswick, Maine; his four beloved grandchildren, Ben Healey, Sam Healey, Blakely Austin, and Charlie Austin; his fellow grandparent Linda Austin of Yarmouth, Maine; his sister Helen “Peachy” Thielke of New York; his brother David Valleau of Florida; several nieces and nephews; his sister-in-law Judy Oltmanns of Ohio; and innumerable friends he gathered and held close over the years. He was predeceased by his sister Beth Schultz.

Tom often expressed gratitude for the life he lived and wanted readers of his obituary to know he left this world as “a grateful man.” His legacy will live on through the countless lives he touched and the beautiful city he helped shape. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be made to the Portland Housing Authority's Thomas Valleau Scholarship Program.

The family invites you to a time of visitation on Saturday May 24th from 1:00 to 2:00pm, followed immediately by a Celebration of Life and a reception at Jones, Rich & Barnes Funeral Home, 199 Woodford St, Portland, ME.

You may offer your condolences or share your memories at www.jonesrichandarnes.com