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Thomas Wirtanen Obituary
TEWKSBURY
Thomas A. Wirtanen, Esq., 66, passed away peacefully on July 27th, son of the late Theodore and Carmela Wirtanen.
Tom touched the heart of everyone he knew. Tom was a proud graduate of the Ohio State University, graduating Summa Cum Laude. He received his juris doctorate from Boston College Law School.
He was a well-known local attorney for 40 years and 7th degree black belt with Beisho Karate. An avid fisherman and gardener, Tom enjoyed going to Alaska every year. A singer, songwriter, and local television producer of the long running Brookside Garden, he received a lifetime achievement award from LTC. He was a long-standing member of Stony Brook Fish and Game as well as Election Commissioner for the City of Lowell.
He is survived by his wife of 35 years, Claire (Regis) (Abreu) Wirtanen, children Thomas T. Wirtanen and Kris Lopez and her husband Ernie; four grandchildren Gabriella, Kalina, Isabel, and Christian Lopez; his sister, Mauri Gray of Chelmsford along with several brothers and sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and his Council of Cousins.
Wirtanen
YOU ARE INVITED TO HIS CALLING HOURS 4 UNTIL 8 P.M. ON WEDNESDAY. ON THURSDAY, HIS FUNERAL WILL BEGIN AT 10 A.M. AT THE MCDONOUGH FUNERAL HOME, 14 HIGHLAND STREET, LOWELL 978-458-6816. HIS FUNERAL MASS WILL BE OFFERED AT ST. MARY CHURCH, 25 NORTH RD., CHELMSFORD AT 11 A.M. IN LIEU OF FLOWERS, DONATIONS CAN BE MADE TO STONY BROOK FISH AND GAME SCHOLARSHIP FUND, P.O. BOX 1006, WESTFORD MA 01886.
E-CONDOLENCE SITE WWW.MCDONOUGHFUNERALHOME.COM
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Memories and Condolences
for Thomas Wirtanen
Sponsored by lowellsun.com.
Patricia Grana
August 24, 2022
Today, August 2022, I looked Tom up on the internet and sadly learned of his passing in 2019. I knew Tom during our college days in Boston. We lost touch when I moved back home to New York. I remember him to have the sweetest and kindest , and I knew he would become a compassionate and just lawyer. My late condolences to his family and friends. Rest in peace my kind friend. You were and are a sweetheart, always. Love, Patricia
Mauri Wirtanen-Gray
September 20, 2019
There are the words I spoke in church on August 1, 2019 in celebration of the memory of my brother. I will miss him forever.
Thomas Angelo Andrew Wirtanen
First of all, thank you so very much for being here today and taking a pause in your own lives to support us as we celebrate Tom.
It is my very personal and deep honor to speak to you on behalf of this large extended family. I have the distinct position of being Tom's only sibling. As some of you know there were many men he called brother, but he only had one sister. With that came the enormous and often humorous responsibility of following him through the Chelmsford school system. Where I was expected to be a good student but have Wildman like behavior making screeching Toucan Calls in the hallways. He used to proudly call the two of us the last survivors of the four original Wirtanens, something that made him stronger in tough times.
Anyway, I have limited time here to capture the essence of a very big very lively presence during his time on this Earth for you, but I will do my very best. What is the measure of a well lived life? I think it has to do with what we have learned along the way. Tom taught us kindness, heart, patience, humor, did I mention humor? Faith in all people, loyalty generosity, Take care of those who cannot take care of themselves, show up when you are needed, welcome people to your table, have the confidence to go after anything you dream you can do and most important of all put family first.
Those are huge lessons from my brother and there are countless examples of them. Did he infuriate me at times? Of course, but under all the noise and giant personality was the kindest heart you will ever know. In the very early hours of March 18, 1987 my phone woke me to him shouting at the top of his lungs on the other end There's two Tommies!!! my first half asleep reaction was, heaven help usHe was so thrilled and proud to welcome his very beautiful son that day he gave him both his name and our Dad's. To his last breath he considered Tommy and Krissy to be his greatest achievements in a life filled with achievements.
Summa Cum Laude from The Ohio State University, but not before filling an entire dormitory room floor will Jello. Boston College Law School and on to the role of public defender in Lowell Court, where for many years he defended Santa the week before Christmas and those who could not afford a lawyer the rest of the year. One Christmas Eve in a cold rain he took in a homeless veteran he met on the streets of Watertown and gave that man shelter. That kind of heart takes faith, courage and strength.
Family above all else to Tom. He did not limit his definition of family to biology, the karate studio are family, the Zarbiereks are family the council of cousins, Aunts and Uncles are of course family, the employees of Lowell Court are familythe members Stonebrook Fish and Game are family, I think perhaps the entire city of Lowell, which we used to call him the governor of, are family, my family are his family, .and Claire of course you. Kris, Tommy, Ernesto, Kalina, Gabby, Christian and Isabel plus your extended family were number one to Tom. Whomever you were, you were always welcomed to his table for family dinner every Wednesday evening.
You all know that since 2014 he has certainly not been his robust self, but he never lost his spirit. Some of his last words to me were I wonder how my tomato plants are doing? I like to believe he is fully healed in heaven and is gardening and fishing and playing his guitar. Please take his lessons forward with you today, and make them his legacy, be kind, generous, patient, confident, take care of others, put family first, show up when someone need you and welcome everyone to your table.
On that note Claire asks that you all please join us for lunch at Princeton Station, on route 4 in North Chelmsford. And in the words of my now immortal big brother, his famous quote as he stood at every family buffetwaiting to fill his plate, Women and Children first and then the heavy hitters!
I will love you forever Tommy
John Judge
July 31, 2019
Nearly thirty years ago I was standing on the edge of a curb as I waited to cross a very busy Tremont Street in downtown Boston. As vehicles raced along, all of a sudden a car came to a rather abrupt stop in the middle of Tremont Street. As drivers honked horns at the stopped vehicle, out of the car jumped Tom. He rushed over to the sidewalk and gave me a huge bear hug as he exclaimed Johnny Judge. I haven't seen you in years. Great to see you.. Before I could respond, Tom had climbed back in his car and took off with a flash. That was Tom. A bit unpredictable (in a good way), never forgetting old friends, and always caring about the well being of others. That is only one of many fond memories of Tom that I will carry forward. He always made me smile and always will. Tom will be missed by so many people who he touched along the way with his wit, warmth, stories, and caring. My sincere condolences to Tom's wife and family.
JOHN MURPHY
July 31, 2019
My fondest memory of Tom was watching him circle the bases after hitting a home run for his Little League Yankees while shaking the hand of every infielder on the opposing team.
That was Tom, sharing in his joy, even with
the opposing team.
Later at Chelmsford High School, Tom would hold court in the lunchroom cafeteria with a bunch of us lowly freshmen, cracking jokes and keeping everyone in stitches.
An accomplished man with a wonderful sense of humor, he will be sorely missed.
John Murphy
Peachtree City, Georgia
July 30, 2019
I lived up the street from Tom when he was still over on Brookside Street. He was always a pleasure to speak with and a perfect gentleman. May his memory be eternal.
Lt. Charles Pappas
Lowell Police Dept.
Dennis Carpenter
July 30, 2019
At our last Reunion Tom was determined to fight back from his previous stroke.
He laughed, shared & asked everyone who stopped by about them, their family, their life & he did it in an engaging genuine fashion that made everyone feel important & valued.
A good guy from high school & that never changed.
Summon the Angels. Watch as they wet their lips and raise their trumpets.
Instruct St. Peter to swing open the gates wide.
For His child is coming Home.
July 30, 2019
He was 'one of a kind' Stony Brook will remember you always. Barry Paletta
Lewis Demetroulakos
July 30, 2019
My deepest Condolences to Tom's family. Tom was always very humerus as well as serious. May his Memory Forever Be Eternal. R.I.P. my friend.
Lynda StJames
July 30, 2019
My sensei and dear friend with a big heart and a gift for cooking the fish he caught. You will be missed.
Gail Bartlett
July 29, 2019
Tom and Claire...so sorry to learn of Big Tom's passing; lots of memories and a lesson in every story. Thinking of you both❤
Love the Bartletts
Robby Greenhalge
July 29, 2019
Tommy,
My heart is with you and your family during this difficult time.
Robby
Jennifer O'Brien
July 29, 2019
Tom was such a great person, a big personality, and quite the character. I smile whenever I think of him. He cared very much about every client he represented. He had a habit of putting his hand on their backs when standing before the judge just to give them extra support and strength. I often joked with him about it. He always made me laugh. I will forever have fond memories of him. I wish his family the most sincerest condolences. He will surely be missed.
Maureen Chase
July 29, 2019
An inimitable character who entertained all. We went to high school together and Tom was so animated and full of life. He knew everyone! I'm so sorry to hear of his passing. My sympathy to his extended family.
July 29, 2019
Arigatou Gozaimashita Sensei Tom
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