Thomas J. Kelleher

Thomas Kelleher, longtime resident of South Hadley MA, passed away on Oct 26th at Daybrook Village, Holyoke.

A long-time employee of the Town of South Hadley, he retired as Highway Department Supervisor.

Tom was born April 17, 1937.  After a difficult childhood separated from parents and siblings, he was welcomed into the Duguay family in South Hadley Falls as a young teenager.  In 1954 he enlisted in the US Marine Corps, which included service in Beirut.  It was during that era that he met his future spouse Fernande (Nan) Laprade of Easthampton.  Nan was the youngest of 11 Laprade children, devoted to family and Church.  He and Nan married Oct. 24, 1959.  They started their own family and eventually settled in South Hadley with their six children: Karen, Mark, Linda, Daniel, Glenn and Keith. They were communicants of St Theresa of Lisieux Church.

Tom was dedicated to ensuring that his children had the fond memories of childhood that he could only dream of, including vacations to Catskill Game Farm and Ocean Beach, and camping trips to Maine and New Hampshire.  Despite adversity, he and Nan forged a strong bond, passing on the values of hard work and putting family first.  As their nest emptied, they enjoyed their own camper, and formed many friendships through bowling and golf leagues.  Trips to local casinos, Las Vegas, Canada, and golf adventures to the Carolinas and Florida filled their time in retirement.  They also frequented local restaurants like Egg & I, Friendly's, Lucky Strike and Randall’s and Atkins farms.

After the loss of Nan, Tom filled his time following South Hadley High School sports teams, walking at Holyoke Mall and MGM Springfield Casino, and taking long drives throughout western Massachusetts.  He made friends with the staff at Johnny’s and Boathouse in South Hadley, Rusty’s in Holyoke (Family Sundays), and Jennifer’s in Chicopee, where he enjoyed being the anchor of the “Wing Nut” table.  His newest friends were those he made at Daybook, especially those at “The Cool Kids” table.

He leaves behind his daughters Karen of Stafford Springs, CT, Linda (John) of Belchertown, sons Mark of Granby, Daniel (Erica) of South Hadley, Glenn (Silvana) of Southwick, and Keith of Dudley, as well as grandchildren Erin, Michael, Patrick, Timothy, Kevin, Molly, Haylee, Mark, Madelynne, Shawn, Jonathan, Shannon, Thomas, Mary, Hannah, Alyssa, Sophia, Dylan, Nicole, and Cameron, along with their spouses and multiple great- grandchildren.

His family will remember the struggles through difficult times knowing that ultimately he wanted only stability and good memories for them, which he provided to the best of his ability. May the joy in his face at the weddings of his grandchildren bring solace, and proof that he was successful in leaving a legacy of strong family bonds that will continue to grow, as he has found peace united in Heaven with his dearest Nan.

Calling hours will be held Tuesday, November 4, from 4 to 7 p.m. at O’Brien Family Funeral Home in South Hadley. Funeral services will begin Wednesday, November 5, at 9:30 a.m. at the funeral home, followed by a Funeral Mass at 10:30 a.m. at St. Theresa’s Church in South Hadley. Burial will follow at 1 p.m. at the Massachusetts Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Agawam.