Thomas “Thom” Conlon, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, veteran, firefighter, and man of deep faith, passed away on September 19, 2026, at the age of 81.

Thom was born on June 29, 1945, in Framingham, Massachusetts, to James and Agnes Conlon. The youngest of seven children, he grew up surrounded by family and carried the importance of family with him throughout the rest of his life.

As a young man, Thom served his country for four years in the United States Navy as a radioman on the USS Falgout . Following his military service, he spent his working years in many roles, including as a firefighter, landscaper, groundskeeper, and janitor. Whatever title he held, however, was only a small part of the measure of the man.

Thom was a pillar of faith for his family. His beliefs shaped the way he lived, the lessons he passed down, and the example he set for the generations that followed him. He understood the importance of family, service, laughter, and making the most of the time we are given.

Anyone who knew Thom knew there was rarely a shortage of laughter. He was quick with a joke and possessed a collection of hilarious sayings and mannerisms that became unmistakably his own. He could recite historical facts seemingly without end, as though reading them from a list only he could see. And music was woven throughout his life. He loved it deeply and, even more importantly, loved sharing it with the people around him.

Over the course of 81 years, Thom crossed paths with countless people, and he had a way of leaving an impression. Some knew him for decades and others only briefly, but so many walked away with a story, a laugh, a lesson, or a song to remember him by.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Elise; his four children, Eddie, Carolyn, Annie, and Brian; his grandchildren, Brendan, Jimmy, Billy, Talia, Hannah, and Mary; and his great-grandchildren, Maeve, Aurora, and Declan.

Thom leaves behind more than memories. He leaves pieces of himself in the people who loved him.

His lessons will be taught again. His stories will be retold. His jokes and mannerisms will appear unexpectedly in his children and grandchildren. The music he loved will be played, and somewhere, someone who loved him will hear a familiar song and think immediately of Thom.

That is the lasting impact of a life well lived. One life touches another, which touches another, and the ripples continue long after we are gone.

Thom’s life ended on September 19, but the impression he left on this world did not. It lives on in his wife, his children, his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and in the many people fortunate enough to have known him.

And through them, the ripples of his life will continue for generations to come.