Thomas D. McNabb

AUBURN - Thomas D. McNabb, 80, the husband of Bridget Breen McNabb, of Logan Street, Auburn, died Tuesday, July 31, 2018, in The Commons on St. Anthony.

A lifelong Auburnian, Tom retired as the City Safety Inspector of the City of Auburn after 26 years. Following his retirement, he returned to City Hall in 1995 after being elected to serve on the City Council. He served four consecutive terms on City Council and was extremely proud of his service to the community. Tom was a United States Army veteran and a member of the SK Post of the American Legion. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus, Council 207, a devout Catholic and lifelong parishioner of Holy Family Church where he sang in their choir and was head usher.

Over the course of many years, Tom served on numerous boards and leadership positions that include Blessed Trinity School, Holy Family Church, and the Auburn Federal Credit Union. Tom was active in the CSEA union and served on numerous statewide political action committees. A lifelong Democrat and proud member of the City and County Committees, Tom represented Central New York as a delegate to the 1988 National Democratic Convention in Atlanta.

Tom was active in the Ancient Order of Hibernians (AOH) where he served in leadership positions on every level, starting with his involvement in the John F. Kennedy Division 1 in Auburn. His dedication to the organization elected him the youngest NYS AOH President and it continued on the national level, being elected AOH National President at the convention in Killarney, Ireland in 1978. He was elected to the position of AOH National Secretary in 1984, a position in which he served with distinction for 30 years. At the conclusion of his faithful service to the AOH National Board, Tom was awarded the honor of "Secretary Emeritus" for his unprecedented leadership and dedication to the organization.

Tom enjoyed and celebrated "all things Irish" and was known in the Auburn area as "Mr. Hibernian." He started many local Irish American traditions that include the annual Saint Patrick's Day Mass, raising of the Irish Flag at City Hall, and the annual "Friends of Ireland" Luncheon. He also started and coordinated Auburn's long running Irish Festivals.

In 1972, Tom married the former Bridget Breen, from County Kerry, Ireland. This started a love affair with the Emerald Isle that caused Tom to travel across the sea more than 35 times.

In addition to his loving wife, Bridget, Tom is survived by two sons, Liam McNabb and his wife, Eileen, of Delmar, N.Y., and Thomas P. McNabb and his wife, Stacie, of Throop; three daughters, Bridget McNabb Milliman and her husband, Michael, of Mansfield, Texas, Colleen Kimak and her husband, Craig, of Sennett, and Aileen McNabb-Coleman and her husband, Mark, of Owasco; one sister, Anne Greer, of Throop; one sister-in-law, Yolanda McNabb; 10 grandchildren, Clare and Aidan Milliman, Nora, Kevin, and Daniel McNabb, Owen and Neal Coleman, and Keegan, Grayson, and Hadley McNabb; many loving brothers and sisters-in-law and family in Ireland; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

In addition to his parents, Emmett and Marguerite Lawler McNabb, Tom was predeceased by three brothers, Dennis McNabb and his wife, Elizabeth, Jack McNabb, and Bernard McNabb and his wife, Roselyn; two sisters, Jane Entenman and her husband, Frank, and Aileen Squires and her husband, Forrest.

Friends are invited to join the family for a Mass of Christian burial to be offered at 10 a.m. Monday, Aug. 6, in Holy Family Church, 85 North St., Auburn. Burial, with full military honors will follow in St. Joseph's Cemetery. Calling hours for Tom will be held from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday at the Cheche Funeral Home Inc., 1778 Clark St. Road, Auburn.

The Ancient Order of Hibernians will gather to offer their prayer service at 7 p.m. Sunday evening.

To offer condolences to the family, please visit www.chechefuneralhome.com.