Thomas Biddison

1939 - 2021

Thomas N. Biddison Jr. passed away peacefully early Sunday morning on May 9, 2021. Tom, born December 4, 1939, grew up on Kipling Court in Govans, a northern suburb of Baltimore City.

Tom was a standout athlete at City College High School, earning national, state and local honors for both football and lacrosse. After graduating from City College, he attended Johns Hopkins University on an athletic scholarship. While at Johns Hopkins, Tom was part of the 1959 Men's Lacrosse National Championship Team. In 1961, he earned All-American honors as a midfielder for the Blue Jays and was selected for the North-South Game.

After Hopkins, Tom followed his father and grandfather into the legal profession. His father, Thomas Biddison Sr., was the City Solicitor for Baltimore City from 1947 until his passing in 1958. John Biddison, his grandfather, was a Judge in the Baltimore County Orphan's Court. Tom attended night school at the University of Maryland School of Law while working as a Law Clerk for the Honorable Edwin Harlan in the Circuit Court for Baltimore City.

After graduating from law school, he entered public service as a Baltimore City Assistant State's Attorney. Even as a prosecutor, Tom was able to apply his skills from his days on the gridiron. As a young prosecutor, he once chased down and tackled a convicted defendant as he attempted to charge a Baltimore City Circuit Judge after a sentencing.

After a successful stint prosecuting criminal cases, he accepted a position as an Assistant Attorney General in the civil appeals division of the Maryland Attorney General's Office. There, he represented the State in countless matters before the State and Federal Appeals Courts. His appellant work took him all the way to the Supreme Court of the United States where he wrote the winning brief in the Supreme Court decision of Gray v. Maryland.

While working at the Attorney General's Office during the day, Tom was a member of the 1967 U.S. Men's National Lacrosse Team which played in the first World Lacrosse Games in Toronto. Tom, then a 28-year-old legal professional, showed his relentless competitive spirit by making the team as the faceoff midfielder. Off the field, he enjoyed playing squash and golf at Baltimore Country Club with his close group of friends.

In 1973, he joined Gallagher Evelius & Jones where he practiced law as a Senior Partner for 37 years until his retirement. Tom Dame, Managing Partner of Gallagher, said "Tom was important to the success of Gallagher Evelius & Jones. He began the firm's litigation practice when Rick Berndt recruited him to the firm in 1973 from the Attorney General's Office. Our litigation practice was built on Tom's early successes for a number of important firm clients, all of whom benefited from his tenacity, intelligence, and grit. During his long tenure with Gallagher, Tom helped many people in the firm, and he understood and advanced the firm's values. He was a role model for our lawyers, especially in showing dedication and loyalty to our clients. Those who had the privilege of working with Tom will miss him very much. I know I will."

John Voneiff, a long-time close friend, said, "Tommy athletically and professionally was a tremendous success. However, his friends, family and co-workers will remember him as a family man." Lifelong friend Bobby Barroll recollects, "I introduced Tommy to Stephanie. When Tommy saw Stephanie from across the piano, it was like a lightning bolt hit him. He always looked at Stephanie the same way as that first moment his entire life." Tom and Stephanie married on October 12, 1968 at the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen. They were happily married for 53 years and were able to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary with family and friends. Their three boys fondly remember the love their father had for their mother, "Our father loved and cared for our mother with everything he had. There are no words to describe the way he looked at her. It was nothing short of special. They were a great team until the end."

As Mr. Voneiff remembers, "Tommy lived for his three boys, Tommy, David and Chris." During his son's high school and collegiate sports careers, he was a fixture on the sideline. Having been the beneficiary of a first-class education, Tom valued his son's education above all else. He was proud to have sent his children to Gilman, Boy's Latin, University of Virginia, University of Notre Dame, Hampton Sydney, and University of Maryland School of Law. John reflects, "Over the last decade, Tommy's happiest times were rock fishing or goose hunting with Tommy, travelling around Pennsylvania visiting David's real estate developments, or getting a recap of the latest youth lacrosse game from Christopher."

His sons reflect, "We will remember Dad as a wonderful and devoted husband, the greatest father one could dream of, and a true competitor in all aspects of his life. He has created a legacy that will last generations."

Tom privately penned these final words before he passed away, "My wife Stephanie has provided me with fifty years of wedded bliss, three children, and six grandchildren. God has been good to us."

Tom is survived by his wife, and love of his life, Stephanie O'Malley Biddison, sister Robin Dodd, brother Alan Biddison, sons Thomas N. Biddison, III, David O. Biddison, and Christopher J. Biddison, grandchildren Thomas, Katelyn, Henry, Elizabeth, Jack, and Porter, and daughters-in-law, Claudine, Delia and Melissa.