Search by Name

Add a Memory

Plant Trees

Make a Donation

Share Obituary

THOMAS H. LARSEN

FUNERAL HOME

George F. Doherty & Sons Funeral Home - Wellesley

477 Washington Street

Wellesley, Massachusetts

THOMAS LARSEN Obituary

LARSEN, Thomas H. Of Weston, September 1, 2023. Former owner of The Pillar House of Newton Lower Falls. Beloved husband of Nancy Monaghan. Devoted father of George Larsen of Portsmouth, NH, Lisa Larsen of Natick, Robert Larsen of Yarmouth and Christopher Larsen and his wife Jill of Wellesley. Loving grandfather of Nick, Skylar, Andrew and Brady. Memorial Service will be announced at a later date. For online guestbook, gfdoherty.com George F. Doherty & Sons Wellesley 781 235 4100

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Boston Globe from Sep. 2 to Sep. 3, 2023.

Memories and Condolences
for THOMAS LARSEN

23 Entries

Albert Russell

August 13, 2025

Tom Lawson and I met on the first annual cross country bike ride for the American Lung Association in 1987. Him and I just Struck it up as good friends and he was a great person for me

Albert Russell

August 13, 2025

I just looked online and found out that Tom passed a while ago I'm so sorry for your loss and see. I know the last couple years I've sent a couple texts but no response and birthday card no response but didn't think my job it you know since communication was haphazard. Again I'm so sorry for your loss. Tom was a great man and I really appreciated him

Donna K Sherman

December 30, 2024

With fond appreciation of Tom's generosity, as well as memories of the restaurant with its unique service and pecan rolls. He graciously hosted 3 fundraisers for a scout program which I managed in the 90's.

Ellen Whalley

December 4, 2024

I met Tom when I was in my 20´s. We were both on the Board of Businesses for Social Responsibility. He was a classy man. Peace and blessings to him and his family.

Chuck LaCortiglia

November 22, 2024

I worked at the Pillar House from 1966 to 1968 first as a Bus Boy and I used to drive Tom crazy carrying two trays at a time and he one day while setting up a room upstairs saw me carry two very heavy trays of dishes upstairs and made me go to the kitchen and get a scale to find out how much weight was on them!
Then one Saturday afternoon while sitting at home I got a call from Tom if I had a hot date and when I answered know he asked if I would come in and work the broiler as he had just fired Fred Moylan the broiler cook whose wife was his Hostess!
He said let´s see if you know what you´re doing or full of beans ! I kept that job until I went on active duty!
Tom was the best dressed Restauranteur I had ever met and so he and I used to have competitions each Friday and Saturday to see who had the best looking ties!!
He was a mentor many years later at 31 I went to school at BC nights and in my Junior year I wrote to Tom asking for career advice never thinking I would hear from him! But two days after sending the letter the phone rang and my wife answered and he asked for me and she asked who was calling and he said Tom Larsen!!
He spoke to me for about 30 minutes explaining what steps I should and how to go about it!
He didn´t have to do it, but Tom was an unbelievable person, mentor and innovator.
My condolences to your entire family as I know he will be truly missed!
I wish he had mentored me about his interest in T-Bird´s!!
Chuck LaCortiglia

Pete Boisvert

July 14, 2024

Oh I just saw this... I'm so sorry to hear this. Mr. Larsen was the Best Boss you could hope to work for. I knew him from the times of Fitzy and Bob the Chef, from Feb. 1978 just after the Blizzard to June 1983. I knew him as a man who did things his way, and he would listen to you. I remember one evening Mrs. Kennedy was dining, and she asked for the Pate recipe, which I gave the waitress. I had varied from the PH's ingredient list on my own, and Mr. Larsen called me into his office a few days late, asking where I had gotten my version. "Julia Child's TV show" I answered, and you could see a thin smile cross his face. I'm sorry that I missed a reunion they had some years ago. I will definitely miss him.

Dick Ray

February 16, 2024

I was sorry to read of Tom's passing! I was hired as his first Manager at the Pillar House in 1970 & felt it was a learning situation & privilege to work under Tom. He & I had a following out 2 years later as I pursued my Military Retirement by joining the USAF RESERVES as a pilot that consequently took me away from my job on occasional weekends! We often saw eachother in Chatham and had a friendly relationship! My association with Tom & the Pillar House will always be a highlight in my working years!

Diane Basemera

November 27, 2023

Sweet sweet sweet! I feel so grateful and thankful to have experienced Tom and his darling Nancy!

Ayoub El Fougani

November 18, 2023

Thomas Larsen was my boss for over 7 years, we forged a special relationship.
May God bless him.
My sincere condolences to his family.

Ayoub El Fougani.
Marrakech, Morocco

Douglas Tomb

November 8, 2023

Tom's parents were neighbors of our family, while I was growing up in Newton. Tom's sister, Barbara Larsen Lincoln, lived at the family home with her parents in the 1980's and in the Lasell Village retirement community, as did Mom and Dad, in the early 2000's. In 2015 I was building a garage, and Mom mentioned it to Barbara. Barbara suggested I come and visit Tom's garage, to get ideas. After a time, a visit was arranged. Tom was very gracious in allowing us to come and see his garages, and his collection of cars. Wow! After the visit, as we were driving back to Lasell, Mom asked me what I thought of the garage? I have been an automobile hobbiest since the late 1960's, and Tom's collection was right at the top of the list, in every way. I told Mom, never mind the garage, the car collection was amazing! Tom was a perfectionist, and he achieved it with that collection. Sad to hear the news of his passing. My condolences to the family.

Geri Wilcox

November 3, 2023

Here it is November 3rd and I just heard of Toms passing. I am so sorry to hear of his passing. I worked at the Pillar House early 70´s until the 80´s.. Years that hold such wonderful memories for me. "The first restaurant to go Non-smoking!!" Tom or as we referred to him as Mr. Larsen"... was one of a kind!! We were always proud to be his team players! He ran a tight ship and in todays world where anything goes.... They would have never made it in the Pillar House! Tom, rest in peace..... Thank you for all the memories!

Dick Michelson

September 29, 2023

In his teens Tom was tough little lacrosse goalie at GDA. And in recent years a great moral supporter for me. A fine man!

Rick DuBois

September 11, 2023

Dear Nancy and family,
Mr. Larsen was a giant in my young life when I worked at the Pillar House. (1970-75) He taught me many important principles like style, grace and correctness that have followed me throughout my life.
He truly loved and cared for people and valued the ideas and opinions of others. He was a connoisseur of the finer things in life. He was certainly a great man.
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this time.
Rick DuBois

Chris O´Rourke.

September 8, 2023

Sincere Sympathy to Nancy and all the Larsen Family.
Worked at the Pillar House from 1965 to 1978 . He was a great boss and ran an elegant restaurant and the food was
amazing . May he rest in Peace

Michael Ricciardi & Joan DiCenso

September 5, 2023

Nancy, our heartfelt condolences to you and your family. Tom will be dearly missed by many, especially your friends in the car community. RIP Tom, a true gentleman

David Anderson

September 5, 2023

Prayers for the Family

Ralph Trepanier

Planted Trees

Ken Goldman

September 5, 2023

Tom was a great friend, true car guy & a gentle man.
Will miss him

Ken Goldman

Dirk Burrowes

September 4, 2023

Tom was a man of conviction and loyalty. If he believed in it he didn´t stop until he achieved it! I met Tom at a Christmas party some years ago and from then on I had the highest regards for him. Over the years he would reach out and we would discuss our car hobby and goals for the future. When his mission became an endowment for Larz Anderson Auto museum. He was driven to put together something that would last beyond us all and he did!

In all respects Tom was a real gentleman and a man you hope your kids would aspire to becoming. I was profoundly saddened by the news of his passing and my heartfelt condolences goes out to Nancy and his children. His achievements and his memory will live on

Ellen Forst and and John Dewar

Planted Trees

Ellen Forst

September 3, 2023

Tom was a very special and dear man! He will be missed.

Lisa Terry

September 3, 2023

Sorry to hear about the passing of Tom. We knew him through his son George, who was a very close friend of my sister and late brother in law. He was such a nice, gracious man. He treated customers who dined at The Pillar House like friends, not just customers spending money. He made The Pillar House our favorite restaurant!! Condolences to his family.