Thomas P. Shaughnessy

HOLYOKE

Thomas Patrick Shaughnessy, 86, of Holyoke departed this life on Saturday, March 31, 2018. He was born on December 19, 1931 to the late Thomas and Mary (Sullivan) Shaughnessy, both immigrating from County Kerry, Ireland without knowing each other.  He graduated from Sacred Heart High School, Holyoke in 1949 as a member of the ‘49ers.  He graduated from the Holyoke Junior College in 1951 with an Associate’s Degree.  He worked at the Springfield Armory in the master gauge lab before enlisting in the Army on August 26, 1952.  He was shipped overseas where he served with the 101^st Signal Battalion in Korea attaining the rank of Staff Sargent.  He returned to the U.S. in October of 1954 and finished his enlistment at the Research & Development command of the quartermaster in Natick, MA. After discharge he was hired by the New England Telephone Company.  Over the course of the next 35 years he was promoted from Lineman, Installer, and Engineer, to Regional Manager until his retirement in 1990.  Thomas was a lifelong ice hockey fan and managed several recreational leagues.  Skating up to 3 times a week, 52 weeks a year at times with both sons.  He was a Holyoke Youth Hockey Coach for 5 years and he oversaw the running of the Springfield Oldstars Hockey League with his defensive partner Yvon Mathieu for over 25 years. While a fan of the Red Sox and Patriots, it was the Boston Bruins and the years of Bobby Orr that always remained his favorite.  Thomas was predeceased by his wife Lucile (Canty) of more than 38 years in 1996.  He is survived by two sons, Thomas and his wife Janet of Chesterfield, MO and Dennis and his wife Terry of Southwick, MA; grandchildren, Alyssa, Grace, Jack, Jill and Leah, and great grandchildren, Nolan and Evan.  The Funeral will be held on Saturday at 9:00 a.m. from the Barry J. Farrell Funeral Home, 2049 Northampton Street followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 a.m. in Blessed Sacrament Church, 1945 Northampton Street, both in Holyoke. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery, Chicopee.  Calling hours will be held on Friday from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m.  The family requests that memorial contributions be made in memory of Tom to the Sisters of Providence, 5 Gamelin Street, Holyoke, MA 01040.

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