Thomas Patrick Herlihy

Thomas Patrick Herlihy, 81, of Wilton, NH, passed away peacefully at home with his wife Jane and daughter Lori by his side.

Tom was born in Ft Bragg, NC and moved with his mother to Michigan shortly after he was born. They lived with her parents in Ypsilanti MI until his mother remarried when he was 5.

Webberville, MI was then home to him where he attended a one room schoolhouse K – 7 sometimes even riding his pony to school.

Then a move to Howell, MI where he lived until college and where he met and married the love of his life Jane. He graduated High School in 1961 and from Michigan State University in 1966. While attending college he and Jane lived in married housing with their two young daughters.

After graduating he went to work for General Motors in Flint, MI and was later transferred to Massachusetts in 1967. In 1969 he went to work for Pontiac Motor Division as a District Service Manager traveling in MA and RI. He was transferred to NH & VT in 1974 this time as the District Sales Manager. In 1983, he gave up the traveling for work life and he and Jane moved to Wilton NH and bought the Wilton General Store. It was at this time he fulfilled a dream and joined the Wilton Fire Department at 40. He proudly served on the department for 14 years achieving the rank of Captain.

During his many years in Wilton, he also served as the Emergency Management Director for a time and served on both the Water and Sewer Commissions for many years.

He worked at Hendrix Wire and Cable for approximately 20 years and retired in 2011 as the Safety & Compliance Manager.

Tom loved history especially the Civil War, WWII and Vietnam. He was especially interested in WWII and was able to talk with soldiers that served with his dad and he was lucky to be able to meet his dad’s Commanding Officer in Texas. The Commanding Officer was able to tell wonderful stories about his dad, which was such a gift as his dad died on D-Day.

Tom and Jane enjoyed a cross country trip that included many Civil War battlefield stops on the way and their many snowbird trips to Florida.

Tom was happiest when family was around and could also always be found with a book he was reading. When the TV was on, it was usually the History or Military channel. He also loved sitting out on the deck enjoying the quiet and beauty of nature.

Tom leaves behind his loving wife of 62 years, Jane (Trafton) Herlihy, Two beautiful daughters, Lori (Herlihy) Dick and Kathryn (Herlihy) and husband Darrell Gerry. Three wonderful grandchildren, Christopher Gerry and wife Alexandra, Haley (Dick) Coffey and husband Francis (Joey) and Parker Dick. He also leaves behind awesome twin great grandchildren Levi and Gavin Coffey.

He was predeceased by his Mother and Stepfather Clara & Elton Casady, his father 1st Lt. Thomas Patrick Herlihy, Two brothers Dan and Michael Casady and his beloved son Christopher Thomas Herlihy

The family extends its gratitude to the Hospice Team for their loving care and support over the last several months.

Memorial visiting hours will be held on Friday, September 27th from 4-7pm in the Smith & Heald Funeral Home, 63 Elm Street, Milford. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, September 28th at 11:00am in the Second Congregational Church of Wilton, 25 Gregg Street, Wilton. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to The Jimmy Fund, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, P.O. Box 849168, Boston, MA 02284 or via jimmyfund.org/gift or to the Second Congregational Church of Wilton, P.O. Box 246, Wilton, NH 03086.