Thomas (Tom) F. Tobin, 85, of Lowell, MA, and Boynton Beach, FL
It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of Thomas (Tom) F. Tobin. Born to the late Thomas F. Tobin and Mary (McGlynn) Tobin, Tom spent his formative years, until his marriage, growing up in the Back Central Street neighborhood of Lowell.
Tom attended Keith Academy before earning his Bachelor’s degree from Lowell State College and a Master’s degree in Education from Salem State College. The eldest of five siblings, Tom was predeceased by his brothers, John and Brendan, and is survived by his sister, Miriam Carter, and her husband, T. Barton Carter, as well as his brother, Kevin Tobin, and his wife, Patricia, and his sister-in-law Kathleen
For more than 60 years, Tom shared his life with his beloved wife, Elizabeth (Heenan) Tobin. Together, they created a family that brought him immense pride and joy. Tom is survived by his four children: Christine Hendrickson of East Greenwich, RI; Thomas Tobin Jr. and his wife Carolyn of Portsmouth, NH; Jennifer Baryluk and her husband Gregory of Upper Arlington, OH; and Kathryn Armstrong and her husband Euan of Vienna, VA. He also leaves behind twelve cherished grandchildren: Caitlin, Laurel, Timothy, Sarah, Matthew, Brendan, Jonathan, Christopher, Clare, Drew, Kiele, and Eliana, as well as five great-grandchildren: Evelyn, Theodore, Jude, Byron and Elizabeth. In addition, he leaves many nieces, nephews, grand nieces and nephews, cousins, friends and extended family.
Tom dedicated 41 years to the field of education as a teacher and guidance counselor in Dracut, MA, retiring in 2001. His passion for mentoring extended beyond the classroom as he coached high school baseball, officiated high school basketball, and refereed high school and college football throughout the Northeast. Tom’s commitment to community and youth also included years of service with Lowell’s recreation department and summer jobs program.
In retirement, Tom continued to nurture his love for teaching as a substitute teacher and adult education instructor. Winters in Boynton Beach, FL, brought him great happiness as he enjoyed golfing, bocce matches with friends, and singing with the Sterling Village chorus.
Known for his extraordinary sense of direction, Tom was often referred to as a “personal atlas,” navigating New England’s highways and byways with ease—a talent he humorously lamented being made obsolete by modern GPS technology.
Throughout his life, Tom faced challenges with courage and resilience, living for many years with Type 1 Diabetes and, more recently, ALS. He remained deeply grateful for the unwavering support from his entire family and the compassionate care of those who assisted him in his final years. Special thanks go to his sister-in-law Dottie and her husband Alan, as well as to his dedicated aides, including Joan, Esther, Christina, Julian, and Shalom, for their kindness and support.
Tom’s legacy is one of love, dedication, and service to others. He will be profoundly missed by all who knew him, but his spirit will live on in the lives of those he touched.
In recognition of ALS, Tom’s family requests that in lieu of flowers, contributions be made to the Susie Foundation of West Hartford, CT, a non-profit organization that supports patients and families living with ALS – https://www.thesusiefoundation.org/.
You are welcome to attend his calling hours on Wednesday, January 15, 2025 from 4pm until 7pm at the Mahoney Funeral Home, 187 Nesmith Street, Lowell, MA 01852. His funeral will begin from the Mahoney Funeral Home on Thursday, January 16, 2025 at 10am. His funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11a.m. Saint Mary Church, 25 North Rd, Chelmsford, MA 01824.
For those unable to attend his funeral will be live streamed – Streaming Link
Burial will be private at the family’s convenience at Pine Ridge Cemetery in Chelmsford, MA. Mahoney Funeral Home, 978-452-6361, www.mahoneyfuneralhome.com.
15 Comments
Tom was a great friend of ours for many years. He was so courageous the last few years fighting his ALS. He and Betty were so strong fighting this terrible disease. He was a special person to many of us. He made a difference.
Tom and I go back a long way – from our early days working summers for the Lowell Recreation Department, to our almost 4 decades working as colleagues for the Dracut Public Schools. Tom was a great guy, good friend and thorough professional. I know he will be missed. My heartfelt condolences to Betty and the rest of the family.
Rest in peace Mr.Tobin, I have fond memories of you as my teacher in 6th grade and later in life my children’s guidance counselor. Thank you!
Pauline Halko
Betty and Family – The heart of a fine gentleman and a cherished friend stopped beating. A beautiful light in our world has diminished, but surely Tom’s arrival has added a new glow to Heaven, where he is welcomed as a new member of the Communion of Saints.
‘Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam’
Betty & Tobin Family. We offer our prayers and condolences .I have many fond memories of Tom .growing up on Cady Street back in the late 40’s. He was a great person.
RIP Mr. Tobin- sending hugs to Mrs. Tobin, Tom and Carolyn- such a great man..
My sincere condolences to the family and loved ones of Mr. Tobin, a man whose legacy will endure for eternity, considering all the people he was a mentor to, and to all of those who bring his lessons to those through the generations, forever. God bless.
So sorry, Betty! He was a wonderful man. My sincere condolences. So glad I met him after many years.
I had the pleasure of working with Tom on educational and summer programs. He was a great co-worker and I will never forget him. RIP my friend.
The best compliment I can give Me Tobin is I’m now 43 years old and I still think about his class and tell people he was my favorite teacher. I hope his family knows how many other students he had think the same way! We loved him and I’m very sorry for your loss. God Bless.
Sorry to hear of Mr. Tobin’s passing. I’m class of ‘75 and ‘T-Squared’ was the best baseball coach I ever had who instilled the love of baseball in me that has lasted my whole life. I’m still playing hardball in the Boston Men’s Leagues at 67 years old and still remember some of the things he taught us. The biggest personal thing I’ll remember was when I was a Sophomore and came down with mononucleosis after the first week of spring practice I asked Mr. Tobin to save #21 for me thinking I’d be placed on the JV team when I got back and rejoined the team he handed me a Varsity uniform! I played my heart out for the guy the next three years. Rest in peace Coach.
RIP Mr. Tobin. You made a big difference in so many of lives. 💙
My Sincere Condolences to Betty and family. We have fond memories of growing up with Tommy.
RIP Tommy .
Tom was my baseball coach at DHS. I later had tge privilege of being on his coaching staff as his freshman coach and JV coach. We became good friends and work in the Dracut Schools together for many years. He was a mentor to me and was always there to lend an ear when I need to ask for advise. Rest in peace coach..
Tom, thank you for being my mentor and friend when we worked together in the guidance office together at DHS. That friendship has meant a great deal to me over the last 50 years. I learned so much from you at work, but it is the last few years as you battled this terrible disease with such acceptance and dignity that I realized what a remarkable person you are. You will be missed, my friend.
Add Comment