Tom Bourke

1947 - 2021

Tom Bourke, 73

1947 - 2021

Ipswich - Thomas Stephen Bourke, a longtime Lynn resident, passed away at home on Thursday, January 7, 2021. He was surrounded by his immediate family.

Born on July 10, 1947, Tom began his partnership with the City of Lynn. He attended St. Mary's from grammar school through high school, graduating in 1965. While at St. Mary's, Tom enjoyed considerable success in both academics and athletics. He served as captain of the baseball team, was named Most Valuable Player of the football team, made the Lynn Daily Item and Agganis All-Star Teams, and was a member of the Boston Globe's All-Scholastic Team. He was also a finalist for the Archdiocesan system-wide Student-Athlete Award.

After high school, Tom went on to graduate from Providence College, and later, was a Shakespeare Fellow at the University of Michigan, where he earned his M.A. in English.

But Tom's biggest contributions didn't come in either the classroom or on the field; they came in his long standing service to the community. At 16, Tom began landscaping at St. Mary's, which he continued for the next 57 years—through this past fall—in a largely voluntary capacity. Because of this, in July 2020, Tom received the school's William F. Connell '55 Service Award, which is presented to an alumnus who demonstrates consistent and exemplary service. (Though he considered his best reward to be chatting with or getting to know the countless people who would pass by or through the church and school grounds.)

In 1980, after teaching for a year at St. Mary's High School, Tom began his career at North Shore Community College (NSCC), where he played a pivotal role in boosting the school's enrollment and securing its future success. During his tenure at North Shore, Tom helped facilitate innumerable benefits and services to the Lynn community—including food and blood drives, cleanups at Lynn Woods, the establishment of a child care center, a women's center, health and intercultural fairs, and theater and arts programs. On a more personal level, he also mentored and motivated so many individuals to reach for and achieve their goals. Tom retired as Dean of Students at NSCC in 2007. He also served on the Lynn School Committee from 1986-1990.

Tom leaves behind his wife, Madeline, of 51 years, who was also a longtime Lynn resident and public servant. He was a proud father to his two children, Jessica (with fiancée Brian) and Eric (with wife Erin), and a loving "Pappy" to his five granddaughters, Ainsley, Reese, Mairin, Ella and Emry, all of Manchester-by-the Sea. In addition, Tom leaves his brother, Rob, and sister-in-law, Deb, of Alton Bay, NH, as well as his nephew, Bobby (and family), of Topsfield. He held very, very close and dear relationships with his many cousins, other family members, and friends. Those who knew him were better because of it.

Tom was also well known for his impeccable demeanor on the golf course.

Service Information: In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation at jdrf.org.

Due to COVID-19, the family will be holding a memorial service at a later date.