Thomas Patrick Kelleher III

Tom was born on a Thursday, February 11, 1926 and passed on Friday, February 16, 2018 in his home in Port Orchard, WA.  He celebrated his 92^nd Birthday the previous week.

Tom was born in Pittsburgh, PA, to his parents Thomas Patrick Kelleher and Elizabeth Callan. Tom was baptized on March 7th at St Mary’s Church in Pittsburgh.

Tom was one of three children, older sister Mary Yarnall (deceased), and younger sister Patricia Dynoske.

Tom graduated from a Central Catholic High School in 1944.

Tom joined the Army right out of High School and was honorably discharged in 1946, due to serious medical issues. That didn’t stop Tom, he enrolled and graduated from University of Pittsburgh in 1952 with a Business Degree.

Tom met the love of his life, Mary Laverne Schorr, while at a college dance. They were married on December 27^th, 1952 at St Joseph’s Catholic Church in Duquesne, PA.

Tom & Mary lived in Pittsburgh until 1970. During their time in Pittsburgh, they were blessed with five children:

• Mary Laverne Kelleher-Williams, was born in 1953. Mary is married to Alan Williams and has two sons, Alan and Daniel.
• Thomas Patrick Kelleher IV, was born in 1954. Tom is married to Kimberly Dodd-Kelleher, and has two sons, John & Bryce. Grandpa Tom has enjoyed 3 Great Grandchildren, Tucker, Sapphire, and Kellsie.
• Mark Joseph Kelleher, was born in 1956. Mark is married to Janet Mazur-Kelleher.
• John Gerard Kelleher, was born in 1957. John is married to Terri Leonard-Kelleher and has three daughters, Anna, Claire and Katherine.
• Daniel James Kelleher, was born in 1966. Dan is married to Mary Summers-Kelleher and has 2 daughters and a son, Danielle, Kylie, and Jacob.  Danielle has blessed Grandpa Tom with two Great Grandchildren, Karson and Kamdyn.

Tom’s career started in Banking, and then into the Nuclear Power industry, working for Westinghouse-Bettis for over 20 years. He moved to the Hanford project in Richland with his family from 1970 to 1976. 

Tom, Mary and Dan, moved to New Jersey, working for Ebasco at Princeton University until 1984. He commuted to the World Trade Center in NYC from 1985 to 1991. He retired in 1992 and they moved back to the west coast, Edmonds, WA.

Tom and Mary enjoyed life with their children, grandchildren… and their dog, Oscar.

In 1999 Mary was diagnosed with cancer and passed in 2001. Their short 10 years of retirement was ended, and a very difficult transition for Tom. With his faith and family, was able to move forward. He has continued to enjoy his family. Family get togethers and holidays always brought Martini’s with the girls, Mary, Mary, Kim and Janet !!  He loved crossword puzzles, dogs, reading the New York Times and their coveted Sunday crossword, and cigars. Tom enjoyed a trip with Tom & Kim to Florida to see his daughter, Mary and their family in 2001. He also traveled to Pittsburgh for a family reunion in 2009.

Tom enjoyed life with Dan, Mary and their kids from 2008 to 2012, in their home. This was a special time for Tom. Dan & the kids would bring him his Starbucks and New York Times on Sundays.

Moving into a retirement home was a bachelor’s life, but again, another difficult transition. Tom enjoyed his restaurant time with Tom Jr at O’Donnell’s Irish Pub, Emory’s at Silver Lake, and Calabria’s in Mill Creek. Mark & Janet took Dad to the Chinese Restaurant in Mukilteo many times. Dad enjoyed the trips home from his daughter, Mary, and Son, John. Dad really enjoyed the family coming together for his 90^th birthday.

He moved to Port Orchard with Tom & Kim in 2016, and enjoyed his last couple years with martinis becoming less and less frequent.  We all laughed at the “mock” tini’s that the “institution” served J that he claimed were SO WEAK !  WINK WINK.

Tom passed peacefully after his dinner on Friday night, in his sleep. He is now with his beloved and much missed wife, Mary. 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Thomas Patrick Kelleher III, please visit our floral store.