THOMAS A. CHARLTON

CHARLTON, Thomas A. Retired 40+ Year Boston Globe Employee Thomas Aquinas Charlton, age 93, a longtime resident of Braintree, died peacefully, Thursday, March 9, 2023, surrounded by his loving family. Thomas was born in Boston, to the late Mary Ann (Hickey) and Thomas E. Charlton. Proudly raised in Dorchester's Savin Hill section, Thomas was a graduate of Cathedral High School, class of 1948. He attended the former Boston State College, Boston College and earned a Master's Degree from Boston College. Beloved husband of the late Anne M. (McInnis) Charlton, his sweetheart and best friend for sixty-one years. Thomas and Anne built a life together in Braintree where they lived for over sixty years, raising five children, twelve grandchildren and three great grandchildren. Devoted father of Scott T. Charlton and his wife, Janice of Salem, Heidi A. Tobin and her husband, James of Newton, Aimee C. McIntyre and her husband, Paul of Cary, NC, Erik T. Charlton and his wife, Diana of Hermosa Beach, CA, and Kurt T. Charlton and his wife, Loriann of Braintree. Adored grandfather to Nicholas Charlton and his wife, Maria, Taylor Charlton and his fiancée, Natasha Bloise, and Patrick Charlton, Sheila and Gillian Tobin, Max and Shea McIntyre, Ashley and Luke Charlton, and Jack, Owen and Daniel Charlton. Loving great-grandfather to Madeline, Scott and Lily Charlton, and Anthony and Natalia Nolasco. Thomas is survived by his dear sister Mary Petruccelli of Hingham. He was predeceased by his siblings Dorothy Lovett, Richard Charlton, and Alice Kelley. Thomas was affectionately known as "Uncle Tommy" to over thirty nieces and nephews. As a young boy, Thomas grew up on Peverell Street in Dorchester and attended Saint Williams School spending most of his days on the baseball field as a rising pitcher for the Catholic Youth Organization (CYO), playing alongside his brother, Richard, and lifelong friend, Arthur "Archie" Murray. Thomas had a "tryout" with the Boston Red Sox when he was seventeen and later played semi-professional baseball. In 1951, Thomas enlisted in the U.S. Army as a Private First Class with the 330th Communications Reconnaissance Company during the Korean War. Assigned to the Army Security Agency, Thomas was adept in morse code and served as a radio specialist to dispatch enemy intelligence operations. Thomas was discharged in 1953, and was awarded the Korean War Service Medal with two Bronze Service Stars and the United Nations Service Medal. While overseas, Thomas pitched for the Army's baseball team, known as the ASA OPA. Thomas was proud of his service and proud to be an American. Thomas was employed at The Boston Globe where he worked in production for over 40 years, and formed many lasting relationships with production staff, newspaper executives, columnists, reporters, and editors. Thomas served as a member and past president of The Boston Globe Quarter Century Club, and retired in 1995. Over the course of his ninety-three years, Thomas lived a fulfilled and blessed life. He married the love of his life, Anne, in October 1960 at Saint Matthew's Church, Dorchester. A devoted and caring husband, it was evident to all who knew him that Thomas adored his wife, and she adored him. They were life partners in every sense of the word. In their sixty-one years of marriage, Thomas and Anne enjoyed visiting family in Virginia, North Carolina, California, and Hawaii, as well as vacationing in many cities across the country, and visiting Canada, Italy, France, Ireland, Spain, Morocco, Bermuda and Aruba. No matter how far they traveled, nothing brought them more joy than being home, surrounded by their large growing family. Thomas was a devoted and enthusiastic sports fan to his beloved Boston Red Sox and New England Patriots. He attended countless Red Sox games and rarely missed a game on TV or radio. Thomas was present at the 1960 season opener of the "Boston Patriots" football game at Nickerson Field, Boston, which led to many years of cheering on the legendary Super Bowl champions. He was a loyal BC alumnus and a devoted BC football season ticket holder, as well as a member of the Boston College Cape Cod Club. Throughout his life Thomas was committed to serving others. He was a member of the Saint Thomas More Parish's Men's Club, and Past President of the Archbishop Williams High School Men's Club. Thomas was Past President of the Braintree Council on Aging, and was a member of the Disabled Veterans Association and the Boston Mailers Union Local #1. Thomas was fond of his broad circle of friends and family and cherished his relationships that lasted and thrived in his later years. Those who knew Thomas will remember him for his baby blue eyes, his quick wit, and his warm and constant presence, always reaching out by phone, email, or a note in the mail. He will be deeply missed. Memorial Visiting Hours will be held at the Sweeney Brothers Home for Funerals, 1 Independence Avenue, QUINCY, on Friday, March 24, from 5 – 8 p.m. Relatives and friends are invited to attend. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at Saint Francis of Assisi Church, 856 Washington Street, Braintree, on Saturday, March 25, at 10 a.m. Interment, with military honors, to follow at Braintree Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations in Thomas' memory may be made to Archbishop Williams High School, 40 Independence Avenue, Braintree, MA 02184. You are invited to visit www.thesweeneybrothers.com, or call 617-472-6344.

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