THOMAS LEWIS EDDY

LEVERETT, Thomas Lewis Eddy, 81, passed away November 12, 2012 peacefully at home, surrounded by his loving family.

Born September 9, 1931 in Northampton, he was the son of the late Percy Lewis and Mary Ruth (Hartnett) Eddy.

He leaves his wife of 55 years, Harriet (Lashway) Eddy. He also leaves his six children Thomas L. Eddy Jr. and his wife Sybil of Leverett; Paul Eddy and his wife Elizabeth of South Deerfield; Terry Sall and her husband Jeffrey of Greenfield; Susan Eddy Nagy and her husband Stephen of Leverett; Timothy Eddy and his wife Carolyn of South Deerfield; and Kimberly Bari and her husband Todd of Douglas. He leaves eleven grandchildren Benjamin Eddy and his wife Nina; Sarah Eddy; Matthew and Brooke Eddy; Gabrielle, Timothy and Jack Nagy; Paige Eddy; Bryce, Chase and Payne Bari, and three great grandchildren Collin, Owen and Ava Eddy.

He was predeceased by both of his parents and his sister Thelma (Eddy) Zakaitis.

He was a 1950 graduate of Amherst High School where he was a standout athlete in three sports including captain of the men’s championship basketball team in 1950. He also attended the Stockbridge School of Agriculture at the University of Massachusetts before serving four years in the U.S. Navy.

After returning from the Navy in 1955 he worked for Henry “Chick” Toole Construction. After that he worked at the Amherst Department of Public Works as a tree surgeon for 35 years, retiring in 1992.

Tom enjoyed his retirement by spending time with his family and grandchildren. He extended this time by introducing them to his favorite place on earth, Kennebunkport, Maine, a place he vacationed for his entire life. He was also a true New Englander who passionately followed the Boston Red Sox and New England Patriots.

He was a lifelong communicant of Saint Brigid’s Parish.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Friday, Nov. 16, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Brigid’s Church, Amherst with burial following in North Amherst Cemetery. Calling hours will be Thursday, Nov. 15, from 4-7 p.m. at the Douglass Funeral Service, Amherst.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to St. Brigid’s Parish, Visiting Nurses Association of Hampshire County or Hospice of Hampshire County. Obituary and memorial register at www.douglassfuneral.com.

Service details, Social networking, Memorial Guestbook and Slideshow are available here.