Mr. Thomas Joseph McAvoy Obituary (1948

ATTLEBORO - Thomas Joseph (Ignatius) McAvoy, 69, would like to let all his beloved friends know that his work here is done. He received a call on the morning of December 21 at Sturdy Memorial Hospital, with an offer he could not refuse, for an appointment from which he will not be returning. This assignment comes with a huge sign-on bonus, and a reunion with his wife of 43 years Patricia Ann, his beloved mother Margaret Helen, and many other friends and family he has not seen in a long time. Thomas came into this world in Attleboro, MA, on 10 April, 1948, the son of the late Lionel McAvoy and Margaret Helen (O’Brien) McAvoy. From the moment he entered into the world, he chose his beloved Attleboro as his permanent home. After a rambunctious childhood, Tom drifted through the Attleboro Public School system, before finally graduating, to his mother’s great relief, from Attleboro High School in the Classes of 66-68. His three-year tenure as a high school senior was the product of his master plan to attend three High School reunions every year. Shortly thereafter he met his beloved bride, and together they gifted four souls with life – Daniel P. McAvoy of Bumpass, VA, Coley O’Brien McAvoy of Lake Elsinore, CA, Margaret Erin (Peggi)(McAvoy) Storer and Katie-Lyn McAvoy, both of Pawtucket, RI. These four later gifted them back with eight loving grandchildren. Tom worked at Flagstaff Company, until becoming a Water Treatment Operator for the City of Attleboro in 1980. During his 33-year service to the city he loved so well, he showed his heart of serving others in many ways. Amongst his many accomplishments, he served on the City workers union, and helped in the founding of the Poncin-Hewitt Scholarship Fund in memoriam of his fellow city workers and friends Larry Poncin and Bernie Hewitt. Amongst his many passions, Tom loved reading, writing, acting, story-telling, and anything to do with John F. Kennedy. As an expression of his passion, Tom appeared in high school plays and later numerous Attleboro Little Theater productions. Amongst his final performances, he appeared onstage alongside his son Coley and daughter Peggi in his son’s senior play at Attleboro High School, for which his wife Patti did the costuming. In his later years, the combination of his love for story-telling and his beloved hometown prompted him to become a featured columnist for The Sun Chronicle. This truly proved to be a master passion. His column became a much looked forward to reading favorite for many citizens. Here, Tom served as an unofficial town historian, drawing from the memories of his 69 years, recounting people, stories and events that captured the essence, importance, life and beauty of Attleboro. To him, each person, event, place and memory he shared was important and he felt it his obligation to remember and honor each with respect, dignity, and just a touch of his signature humor. Tom truly enjoyed time spent on Cape Cod beaches with his beloved wife and family, as well as marathon watching of WeTV. His marriage, family, friends and strong faith formed the foundation of his extraordinary life. Family and Mr. McAvoy’s countless friends are invited to his viewing on Thursday, December 28 from 4– 8 pm at Duffy-Poule Funeral Home, 20 Peck Street, Attleboro, MA However, his children do regret to say they refused his request to have a tv remote in his hand at the time, which he requested so that he would appear natural to his visitors. A funeral will be conducted on Friday, December 29 at 9 a.m. from the Duffy-Poule Funeral Home, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial, at 10 a.m., in St. John the Evangelist Church, 133 North Main St., Attleboro. Burial will follow in St. John’s Cemetery, West Street, Attleboro. A collation will be held at the St. John’s Church Hospitality Center immediately following the burial. In lieu of flowers, Tom would hope that you will do an unexpected and unsolicited act of kindness for some poor unfortunate soul in his name.