NORTHBOROUGH - Thomas N. Kass, Sr. was born November 10, 1957 in New London, CT. He died peacefully June 4, 2011. He was married to the love of his life and best friend Jean Kelly Kass and the proud father of Thomas N. Kass, Jr. Tom leaves his parents Patricia E. (Dyer) Kass and Donald F. Kass, Sr of Natick, MA and Gray Gables, MA., 3 sisters, Maria Grabowski (Steven) of San Diego, CA, Carolynn Rogers of Bedford, MA and Susan Wojewuczki (Matthew) of Fort Wayne, IN and 2 brothers, Donald F. Kass of Jersey City,New Jersey and James P. Kass (Kristine) of Plymouth, MA. and 17 nieces and nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins. Tom shared a special bond with Jean's family, her mother, Patricia Kelly, her father the late Donald Kelly, and her 3 brothers Brian Kelly (Brenda) of Hopkinton, Chris Kelly (Diane) and Kevin Kelly (Tina) both of Upton.
Tom was a 1976 graduate of Natick High School and a member of the NHS 1974 Super Bowl championship team. This team was honored in a ceremony this past May and inducted into the NHS Hall Fame. Tom was unable to attend but he proudly displayed his certificate on his hospital wall. He continued his education earning credentials in optics which started his long career at Raytheon Corporation, where he began by making precision lens for submarines and then becoming a computer technology professional.
Tom was diagnosed with Leukemia 26 years ago and underwent a lifesaving bone marrow transplant. Tom used the power of positive thought, unrelenting humor and the support of his family and friends to overcome many health challenges that resulted from the treatment and would finally take his life too soon. Tom kept his healthy spirit and sense of humor until his very last moments.
Last May, Jean and Tom celebrated 26 wonderful years of marriage as though they were newlyweds,in fact, that was how they admirably lived each day of their marriage. He was most proud of his son Tom who was the focus of their lives and attention.
He yearned for summers at the Cape with friends and family and could be counted on to join in, whether it was clamming, a ball game or cooking at the grill for the annual 4th of July ‘Kass Bash’ crowd. Tom lived in Northborough for the past 25 years and dearly loved the people and small town atmosphere, but he always found his way back to Natick for the Thanksgiving Day football game or to take his Dad for a haircut and hotdog at Casey’s. Tom had many cherished lifelong friends with whom he shared many laughs even in the last week of his life.
Funeral from the Duckett- J. S. Waterman & Sons Home of Memorial Tribute, 656 Boston Post Rd.,(Rt. 20)SUDBURY, Fri. June 10 at 7:45 AM followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Bridget Church, 830 Worcester Rd., Framingham at 9 AM. Relatives and friends kindly invited. Interment Howard Street Cemetery, Northborough. The family will receive visitors at the Funeral Home, Thurs. June 9, 4–8 PM.
Contributions in his name can be made to the American Cancer Society at www.cancer.org <http://www.cancer.org/> or the National Kidney Foundation at www.kidney.org <http://www.kidney.org/>.
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