Menu
Search by Name
Search by Name
Thomas Legan Obituary
Jan 19, 1943 - May 31, 2018
Fremont
Tom passed away on 5/31/18 from injuries he sustained 17 years ago. He was surrounded by his siblings. Tom was born in South San Francisco and graduated Class Valedictorian from Castro Valley High School in 1960. After serving as an Exchange Student in the Mexican Military Academy, he graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Engineering from the U.S. Military Academy in West Point NY in 1964. He then served as a Captain on the 38th Parallel in Korea as a Nuclear Weapons Officer and completed his military service in Germany.
As a civilian, Tom was Western Regional Marketing Director for Kaiser Cement and was thereafter appointed and then elected as Santa Clara County Supervisor for two terms. He retired from public service with a vision impairment he sustained during his military service. in 2002 he suffered traffic related injuries that confined him to a wheelchair for the remainder of his life. After two years in the VA Hospital in Palo Alto CA, Tom moved to the Marriott in Newark CA and then to the Carlton Plaza Senior Living Center in Fremont.
Tom was an avid hunter, sports fan, theatre fan and cribbage contestant. Despite his challenges, he was always jocular and made friends with folk from all walks of life. He was insistent that he attend all his West Point class reunions. He never complained and lived life to the fullest. He was an inspiration to all.
Tom is survived by his son Tom Jr and grandchildren Nick, Rosino, Carlo and Santino. He is also survived by his siblings Mike Legan, Pat Jensen, Kathy Kempen and Bill Mohr, his Aunt Alice Kukar and his nephews Jeff and Michael Mohr, Chuck, Scot and Alex Legan, Dan Jensen, David and Nicholas Kempen and his brother-in-law Bernie Kempen, and his sisters-in-law Shelli Mohr and Nancy Legan. Tom's family is sure that he is playing cards right now with his mother Ada (Potato) and eating House of Pizza!
View the online memorial for Thomas Legan
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Thomas Legan
Sponsored by San Jose Mercury News.
2 Entries
Barbara Carragher
October 29, 2018
When Tom was a plebe at West Point my parents and I met him as an usher at one of the football games. And basically my parents attached themselves to him - away from home, his parents , and siblings.
We had season tickets to the games and I had a friend who played football there We saw him at all the games, brought him Thanksgiving dinner at the Point, and later when West Point played a game at Yankee Stadium, I met him and brought him home for dinner. We enjoyed Tom so much, and eventually lost touch with him. He was like a younger brother to me. I only wish I had tried to seek him out before he passed.
Barbara Mechan Carragher, originally from Glen Rock, NJ
[email protected]
Dennis Finnigan
June 13, 2018
Be thou at Peace Tom, Well Done!
Showing 1 - 2 of 2 results
Make a Donation
in Thomas Legan's name
Memorial Events
for Thomas Legan
How to support Thomas's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreResources to help you cope with loss
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read more
The Five Stages of Grief
They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read moreWays to honor Thomas Legan's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
