- Welcome to Daley Life Celebration Studio, where we Celebrate the Color of Life.
Thomas E McDonough
There is no limit to the ingenuity of man if it is properly and vigorously applied – Churchill. When handed a task there was no stopping Tom. He could build just about anything, even if he needed to make the tools to finish the job. Anything could be brought to him and he’d figure out how to fix it. The only requirement; don’t try to pay him. It was always about the challenge rather than any financial reward. From his days in the Navy when he designed a more efficient way to attach a ship’s rudders, to when he may have saved the Boost drinkers of Riverside by fixing the machines at the soda’s factory, there was never a time he could not find the solution. But his favorite problem to tackle was where to find the best fishing. rnrnAfter returning from serving the Navy, Tom was lucky enough to be introduced to a young woman named Mona (nee Sayre). It took a bit of wooing, but his persistence paid off. Their 47 years together were blessed by their children: Thomas (Tonya) of Mt. Laurel, Daniel (Cristy) of Riverside, and Joseph (Sharon) of Cedar Brook, and again by their grandchildren: William, Joseph, Serena, Marissa, Ryan and Carly McDonough. He is the brother of Dorothy Schneider of Bensalem, PA, Patricia Cass of Foxchase Manor, PA, Charles (Dot) of Turnersville, Kay West (Jack) of Manahawkin, and Michael (Jo-Anne) of Virginia. Tom was predeceased by his parents Charles and Catherine McDonough.rnrnCome celebrate Tom’s 73 wonderful years (2/12/1938-11/15/2011) Monday from 9 AM at the Sweeney Funeral Home, Riverside, where the service will be at 11. Interment Lakeview Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers memorial gifts may be made to Samaritan Hospice 5 Eves Dr., Suite 300 Marlton, NJ 08053.rn
2 Comments
Tom, we were the closest in age of our brothers and sisters and we even used to hang-out together. We were so lucky to have each other for so long. You are the first to leave us and we will miss you very much. Mom and Dad will be the ones to have you with them now. You always stole my skate wheels to make box scooters so you and the other boys could race up and down the street. We played half-ball on Howard Street and you would climb up on the Art loom roof to get the balls so we could keep playing. When I found your Kindergarten picture in Dot?s album, I picked you out right away. I also found your friend Dubby Pickard in that photo. I can remember you running in the house and grabbing a carrot, or an apple out of the refrigerator and running back out again. During your Navy years, I remember all the plates you sent to Mom when your ship was in the Mediterranean. Jack remembers you as a drinking buddy when he visited you in Norfolk. When you married my friend Doris?s sister, it was great. You have the most wonderful family and you were so appreciative of everything they did for you, right down to Mona?s Thanksgiving turkey which was always the best yet, every year. I was really proud of all your talents, your wonderful sense of humor and your love for Mona and the kids.
What a beautiful message Kay! Tom was a GREAT man. He was quiet and private, yet loud at the same time. He was simple, sweet, goofy, lovable, very humble and always made me laugh. Tom had quite a few “jalopies” through the years and he thought every one was a Cadillac, even the one he painted with black “house paint”! When I saw Tom, we often talked in the garage because he was ALWAYS working on something in there, from attaching blocks to his grandson’s bike so he could reach to making a dog bowl stand so my super fat dog could drink with ease. He was a wonderful husband, a fantastic father, a great brother, a good friend, an amazing father in law and the most perfect Pop Pop. Within 5 minutes of meeting Tom you would know that his family was the most important thing in the world to him. And he loved to tell the story of how he “beat out” The Fireman, and won Mona’s heart way back in 1963. I cannot verbalize how much he will be missed. Tom most definatly left us to early but we are all very grateful for the awesome 73years we had.