Thomas F. McDonnell

Thomas F. McDonnell On January 4, 2014, Thomas F. McDonnell passed away at the home of his daughter and son-in-law in Alamo, California. Tom was born in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, New York to James (NYFD) and Helen Drohan McDonnell. He attended St. Anthony's Elementary School and St. Francis Prep and was awarded a full scholarship to Swarthmore College, but left to see action in World War II. He proudly served as a Yeoman on the USS Herzog, a destroyer escort and was thrilled to have participated in sinking an enemy submarine. After the war, he used his extraordinary shorthand and typing skills to work as the executive assistant to the vice president of Standard Oil, but after marrying the love of his life, Mary Collette McCauley, he became a police officer in New York City. He and Mary lived in Greenpoint for several years with their two oldest sons, then moved to Middle Village, Queens, where their daughter and three other sons were born and raised. After retiring from NYPD as a Detective First Grade, Tom and Mary moved to Nissequogue, Long Island, where Tom was Chief of Police and Fire Chief. After an accident forced his second retirement, he and Mary then moved to East Quogue, Long Island and then to Calverton. They were "snow birds" between Long Island and Nokomis, Florida until Mary became ill with Altzheimers. They then became full time Florida residents. After Mary passed away in 2009, Tom divided his time between Florida, where his son Kevin lived, and California, where his daughter, Denise, lived. Tom was an extraordinary man with too many talents to list. Among other things, he was a master carpenter, a sculptor, painter, sketcher and a stained glass designer and maker. He was fascinated by technology and was the first in his family (beating out his adult children) to have a computer and be on the internet. He was a big Mac fan. He never seemed happier than when he was playing his banjo and his whole family was singing along. He never forgot a tune or a lyric…ever. He was also a talented self-taught piano player. Tom is predeceased by his beloved Mary, his parents, his brothers William and James, his sisters Helen and Dorothy, his oldest son, Jimmy, his many loving aunts, uncles, cousins and grandparents, brothers-in-law Charles McCauley, Edward McElwaine and Leo Schindler, sister-in-law Rita McCauley, his best friend Lenny Levy, and his grandchildren David McDonnell and Charles Kondrick. He is survived by his children of whom he was exceedingly proud: Kevin (Lynda), Denise Peters (Larry), Daniel (Marcia), Thomas, Jr. (Janice) and John (Patricia). He is also survived by 13 grandchildren and many greatgrandchildren, his dear sister, Delores McElwaine, his much loved sisters-in-law Catherine (whom he called "Kate"), Helen Gaughren (Jerry) and Emma McCauley and his brother-in-law John. He also leaves many beloved nieces and nephews. Friends may attend A vigil on Thurs. 1/9/2014 at the Leo F. Kearns Funeral Home, 6140 Woodhaven Blvd., Rego Park, NY on Wed. from 1-9 PM. Burial at Sarasota National Cemetery, Sarasota, FL. on Monday 1/13/14 at 12:30 pm. Visitation Tuesday, January 7, 2014 05:00 pm-07:30 pm Funeral Home