1936 - 2022
OBITUARY
Thomas Power – 1936 to 2022
Tom was born to John (native of Clashmore, Co. Waterford) and Bridget (nee O’Keefe) Power in May 1936 on Cork Road, Killeagh Co. Cork. He was the sixth boy of seven brothers. His early education was at St. Fergal’s National School, he then went on to attend Midleton CBS Secondary School. He captained their U14 hurling team to win the Rice Cup in 1951. A few years later, he would help Riverstown GAA Club in Glanmire, Co. Cork (present day Sarsfield GAA Club) to win the County Cork Hurling Minor Championship. A momentary indiscretion would find him pulling on the red geansaí of Castlemartyr GAA Club before going back to play for his beloved Killeagh GAA. In 1967, Tom playing alongside his brother, Paddy became overnight heroes in Killeagh when they won the East Cork Junior Hurling Championship. Following in the footsteps of his father, Tom worked across Ireland as a master craftsman for P.J. Hegarty & Sons. Through his work, he ended up with a job at Rathduff Cheese Factory in Grenagh, Co. Cork to build their new storage facility. This is where he met his future bride Mary (nee Desmond of Grenagh) who was the Office Manager. In 1969, Tom and Mary got married in St. Lacteen’s Catholic Church Grenagh and immigrated to New York. Their first son Desmond was born that December in Huntington, Long Island. A year later they moved into Manhattan where their second son Gary was born. Tom never forgot about Cork and returned to Ireland almost every year to see his family and watch his beloved Cork on the pitches of Ireland. He was keen on showing his sons their Cork roots and instilling pride into them to do the “right thing” in life. He was intensely private by nature and believed in putting your head down and leading by example. In September 1999, he was up in Croke Park in Dublin with his wife Mary to watch Cork win their 28th Hurling All-Ireland by defeating Killkenny. That year, Mark Landers, the team captain was from Killeagh and Tom had played with his father in the 1950 & 60's. He never thought he would see the day that the coveted Liam McCarthy Cup would be paraded down the Main Street of the little village he grew up in. He talked about that day with pride for many, many years to come. Throughout his life, Tom has been universally described as a gentleman. He was a man that would do anything for anyone and expect nothing in return. Tom has now gone to heaven to be with his family, his father John, mother Bridget and his brothers John, Eddie, Jim, David, Paddy and Denis. May he and his family all rest in peace together once again.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.
VISITATION
Tuesday, October 25
4:00 - 8:00 PM
New Hyde Park Funeral Home
506 Lakeville Road, New Hyde Park, NY
MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL
Wednesday, October 26
11:15 AM
St. Anne R.C. Church
35 Dartmouth Street, Garden City, NY
INTERMENT
Queen of Peace Cemetery
16 Powells Lane, Old Westbury, NY