Thomas Joseph Almeida

Thomas Joseph Almeida, 56, of Amherst, NH, died January 8, 2011 from complications due to Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, MA, with his family at his side. He was born on September 8, 1954 to the late Lorraine and Joseph Almeida. Tom was a graduate of Durfee High School of Fall River, MA and the University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth with a degree in electrical engineering. Following his graduation, Tom began working in the defense industry as an electrical engineer with General Electric in Utica, NY. He continued his career for 32 years, becoming a Senior Principal Engineer with the company that is now BAE Systems of Nashua, NH. On July 2, 1988 Tom married Sarah Fraser Almeida at the Hamilton College Chapel in Clinton, NY. Following their marriage, Tom and Sarah resided in Central New York State for seven years before moving to Amherst, NH where they have since resided. Tom’s life revolved around his family. His daughter was his pride and joy. Tom loved interacting with her as an infant, encouraging her through the developmental milestones. Reading to her every night was a routine that lasted for years, until she started reading to him. Tom especially enjoyed coaching his daughter’s various childhood sports teams and helping out in her elementary school classes. Tom also loved spending time outdoors; he was an avid hiker, boater and cross-country skier and took pleasure in spending time with friends and family in the Adirondack Mountains. Tom was always an enthusiastic seeker of knowledge, never ceasing in his pursuit for new information. He was always willing to help others, especially when it came to building, fixing or updating their computers. Surviving are his wife, Sarah, and daughter, Katheryn Almeida of Amherst, NH; his mother, Carol Ann Almeida of Westport, MA; his five siblings, Richard Almeida of Fall River, MA, Linda LePage of Dartmouth, MA, Janice Roback of Greensboro, NC, Craig Almeida of Attleboro, MA, and Darren Almeida of South Dartmouth, MA. He is also survived by his sister-in-law, Susan Fraser of Whitesboro, NY, his brother-in-law, Richard Fraser of Rochester, NY, and his sister-in-law, Anne Fraser Zegel of Holliston, MA. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his father-in-law and mother-in-law, William and Jane Fraser of New Hartford, NY and his brother-in-law, Peter Fraser of Whitesboro, NY. Relatives and friends are invited to a Memorial Visitation on Tuesday, January 11th from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm and a Remembrance Service from 12:00pm to 12:30pm. Both events will be held at the Smith & Heald Funeral Home, 63 Elm Street, Milford, NH. Remembrances may be made to The Liver Center at Massachusetts General Hospital’s Digestive Health Care Center, c/o Dr. Daniel Pratt, Blake 4, 55 Fruit St., Boston, MA 02114.