Full of kindness, loyalty and love for animals
WAKEFIELD — Thomas Hourihan, 84 lifelong native to Wakefield, passed away peacefully on September 6 after a long battle with Alzheimer’s. Fittingly a great thunderstorm was happening at the time in preparation for his homecoming. Surely his sons Michael and Timothy were there to greet him alongside the Almighty and maybe even his beloved dog Jackson waiting for a walk.
Born August 1, 1941 to the late Michael and Catherine (Kellerher) Hourihan. Predeceased by his sister Maureen Bryson. Tom graduated from Wakefield High School. His yearbook declared he wanted to travel the world, but in true Tom fashion, he stayed put in Wakefield his whole life-apparently deciding the world would come to him.
He started his working years at the Wakefield Light Department as a meter reader. At one of these houses, he met his wife of 46 years Linda Canty Hourihan. Tom swore he knew instantly she was ‘the one’ but naturally took seven years to propose, probably keeping her on her toes. Later, he worked security at Suffolk University and for the Boston & Maine Railroad, making sure people behaved (or at least pretend to).
Known for his kindness, loyalty and love for animals, Tom could usually be found walking Lake Quannapowit with his dog Jackson, no matter the weather. He frequently said he loved animals more than people; who could blame him. He had a dark sense of humor which much to his wife’s despair his children inherited. Being the practical joker he was, he thought hiding in his children’s bedroom closet to jump out and scare them before bedtime was all in good fun. His daughter Kelly fondly remembers him showing up at the hospital at midnight to be the first to meet his new grandson, their day trips and deep conversations about life and faith. Tom was also very proud that he never had an ounce of alcohol in his life, however everyone around him thought he could have used a couple…
He leaves behind his daughter Kelly Porterfield and her husband David of Deering, NH; his grandchildren Lindsay, Tyler, Jacob, Isabella, Caleb, Cody and Caden Hourihan, Sean Porterfield and Danielle Singleton; and his great grandchildren Rocco Feliciano, Benjamin Porterfield, Lydia and Liam Singleton.
A Mass will be held on September 23 at 10 a.m. at Saint Joseph’s. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made at any animal rescue.