Thomas Joseph Scanlon

Monterey- Thomas J. Scanlon, born and raised in Chicago, Illinois, died peacefully at home in Monterey. After graduating from Loyola University Chicago, he arrived in Monterey as a member of the US Air Force and was assigned to the Defense Language Institute to learn Russian. After discharge, he returned to the Peninsula, married Joanne, the daughter of Horace and Angie Balbo, part of the Sicilian fishing community. Tom worked for the Monterey County Probation Department before taking his young family around the world with the US Department of State as a Foreign Service Officer. Tom reveled in his chosen career, gathering tales of adventure from his posts in Germany, Jamaica, Poland, Australia, Iceland and Switzerland and adding German and Polish to his language skills. Upon retirement, he earned a Real Estate license and worked for several years in the local market. Tom was also a proud member of Leadership Monterey Peninsula. His dedication to service continued with the Lions Clubs where he served as club president, District Governor (4C-6) and with the Eye Foundation of California and Nevada. He was an avid golfer, reader of history and enjoyed watching the 49ers and Giants games with his family. His favorite times were spent with his family and including his grandchildren and his 'girls' (great nieces in Chicago). His wife of 56 years, Joanne Balbo Scanlon, predeceased him in 2013. He is survived by his children: Mary (Stephen) Greenfield, Anne, Thomas (Lynn), Patrick (Jane) and Michael (Paula); grandchildren Becky, Kim, Michaela, Christopher, and Kristen Booth; sister-in-law Irene (Francis) Ingraham of Salinas; and numerous nieces and nephews. The family wishes to express their profound gratitude to Hospice of the Central Coast. A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at 9:30 am, Tuesday, September 9, 2014 at San Carlos Cathedral in Monterey. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Lion's Eye Foundation of California and Nevada, Inc., P.O. Box 7999, San Francisco, CA 94120 or the charity of the donor's choice.