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Thomas H. McGuire Jr.
1947 - 2018
Thomas H. McGuire Jr.
1947 - 2018
Obituary
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Thomas McGuire Obituary
Raleigh
Thomas Howard McGuire, Jr. passed away suddenly on Tuesday, September 4, 2018, and what a loss to this world. He was in Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, France hiking the Camino de Santiago, a longtime dream of his. His final days were filled with adventure and expectation and until the very last second he was, as always, full of joy and happiness.
Born on March 19, 1947 in Atlanta, Georgia, Tom spent the bulk of his childhood in Houston, Texas. A lifelong lover of learning, he graduated from Emory University in 1969 with a BA in English and went on to earn a PhD in Philosophy-Music in 1975 and a Masters in Business Administration in 1978, both from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
His life was characterized by a remarkable knack for developing lasting friendships with all those he encountered. He had a great passion for education, the arts and all things music and philanthropy. He loved to read, travel and play the piano. His intellect, creativity and generous heart were a blessing to all.
But by leaps and bounds the greatest joy in Tom's life was his family. The love he had for his wife, Barbara, was unlike any other. Affection and devotion like what was between them just cannot be put to words. It was full and unconditional and complete. If you were fortunate enough to know him, you know.
His daughter, Martha, was one of the greatest blessings in his life and he cherished their close relationship. He was especially proud to see her mature into a loving wife and the adoring mother to his two precious granddaughters. He had a joy about his grandchildren that was truly childlike and whimsical. It was full and complete adoration, and it was mutual. He would drop anything at any time to be with them.
Tom is survived by his wife, Barbara Hunter McGuire; his daughter, Martha Sickles Sanders; his son-in-law, John Charles Sanders; his granddaughters, Anna Elise Sanders and Martha Thomas Sanders; his sister, Jean McGuire Quarelli; and his nieces, Heather Lynn Arabie and Lauren Elizabeth Miller.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Thomas Howard McGuire and Sarah Lenora O'Neal McGuire and his sister, Marjorie Lynn McGuire.
A celebration of Tom’s life has been re-scheduled for Saturday, September 22, 2018 at 11:00 am at Holy Trinity Anglican in Raleigh. Burial will be private.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the North Carolina Opera, or the SPCA of Wake County, or to the charity of one's choice.
Arrangements by Brown-Wynne Funeral Home, Saint Mary's St., Raleigh, NC.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Miller Sigmon
September 3, 2022
TOM was a wonderful person....Talented and a strong supporter of the arts in NC and nationally as well..We all miss him,.but he remains in the hearts and minds of his long time friends...... He is not forgotten.... May he rest in peace....
Miller Sigmon
September 9, 2021
This week I was purging some old files, personal as well as old files from my law firm...I came across a wonderful handwritten note from Tom , dated September30 , 1992...thanking me for the enjoyable lunch we had.. I was touched by this sentence: " You are a good friend, and I am grateful for very helpful lunch on Wednesday...." This was Tom, a friend , and always thoughtful ,
sensitive and graceful to those around him..He was outstanding in so many ways..and he is missed..
Miller Sigmon
September 3, 2021
I still can't stop the feeling that we have been some how cheated by the loss of Tom..He should be here as a strong leader in the arts in Raleigh and NorthCarolina..He left us much too young....He is missed...
Miller Sigmon
September 3, 2020
Tom was a kind , thoughtful, and generous man..I admired him for his devotion to the arts and to his family.. I valued his friendship and for so many people, he will be missed...
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marty wynne
December 9, 2019
i cherish my friendship with Tom while he lived in Houston in the late 70s and early 80s. Tom worked at Conoco Oil and was a pivotal member of a start-up group for 20-somethings supporting the Houston Symphony. Tom loved all performing arts, and we all knew he wanted to lever his MBA + music pedagogy in his career. Tom jumped at the opportunity to serve as Exec Dir of the Arkansas Symphony since it so utilized the gamut of his talents. He bought a cozy, charming home near the Capitol and jogged more than once with Bill Clinton, then Arkansas Governor. He left Little Rock for his beloved North Carolina and the memories posted here follow that segment of his life and career. Tom was a wonderful man in every way imaginable. we are all blessed to have known him
Miller Sigmon
September 3, 2019
Tom was a talented man.....musician, arts administrator, financial planner and founding partner of the ArmstrongMcGuire agency.....I admired him from our very first meeting in 1979, when he was Executive Director of the Arkansas Symphony ...Then he came to Raleigh as Executive Director of the NC Symphony..and I was so pleased to have this wise and impressive man in our state. He made a difference in so many ways...especially his leadership in the arts and his tireless advocacy for the arts, not only in Raleigh, but also across the state....I think of Tom often...and appreciate all he did for the arts and culture in our state... Thank you , Tom.
October 2, 2018
I am so sorry for the loss of this beautiful soul and friend to myself and many others. He was an absolute joy to know and will be greatly missed.
I just learned about Tom's death yesterday and what a shock.
I am so sorry to his wife, Barbara and many, many friends Tom touched so many lives.
Tammy Brown
My happy place!
Abbie Dallin
September 22, 2018
I love you Tom and Barbara. Thank you for being in my life .
Tom, as Best Man in 1975
Linton and Kathy Powell
September 18, 2018
Thank you, Martha, for finding Linton's e-mail address today and letting us know of Tom's sudden death. Tom and Linton were absolute best friends at UNC when they were there working on PhDs - what a friendship! Then in 1975, Tom travelled to Athens, GA to be the best man at our wedding (see photo below). After we moved to Texas a year later, we had a wonderful visit with Tom and his parents in Houston. In the last few weeks, those 2 long-time friends have e-chattered excitedly about Tom's upcoming pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela, and discovered that we would miss seeing Tom and Barbara in Madrid by only a few days. How wonderful it would have been to visit with them there! Tom has now made the pilgrimage of all pilgrimages, and his sweet soul rests in peace! We hold Barbara, Martha, and all of his family in our hearts and pray that they will find comfort in their memories of their lives with him. Linton and Kathy Fox Powell, Arlington, Texas
September 17, 2018
my sincere condolence for you and your family and friends.The
bible says: 1peter 5:10 he will make you firm, he will make you strong, he will firmly ground you. please remember this words they
will guide you and help you during this difficult time.
September 17, 2018
my sincere condolence for you and your family and friends.The
bible says: 1peter 5:10 he will make you firm, he will make you strong, he will firmly ground you. please remember this words they
will guide you and help you during this difficult time.
Paul Pope
September 14, 2018
I will truly miss you my friend!
September 14, 2018
I only had one opportunity to meet this long-lost second cousin last June after my tenacious genealogical journey on the Internet. He identified relatives in pictures I received last year after my father's death & shared many funny family stories with each picture! He exuberated such a love for life and adventure! He was such an interesting person and a true gentleman to a total stranger/relative.
My deepest condolences to his wife, sister, daughter, grandchildren and nieces whom he spoke so fondly of that June morning. Prayers and thoughts going up for you all!! May sweet memories and his love for you carry you through this journey of grief.
Tom with my daughter Leigh, 33 years ago
September 14, 2018
Tom, my classmate and my friend. You were so talented and so kind. You will be sorely missed by all who knew you.
-- Jack Barnwell
Peggy Glass
September 11, 2018
Such a loss is just so hard to understand. Tom did so much for others and for the community. Barbara and family, you are in my thoughts and prayers.
Margie Gill
September 10, 2018
Tom was a genuinely kind and thoughtful human being. Working with him was a joy, and knowing him was a privilege. He will be missed so much by so many.
Miller Sigmon
September 10, 2018
It is so sad to lose a friend much too soon..I met Tom in NYC at a conference in 1979.. and have followed his distinguished career over these many years.... What a gifted and talented man in so many ways...His contributions to our community and to the arts in North Carolina will provide a wonderful legacy for us to remember..Tom, we will miss you... ...We all owe you our thanks....
Donna Tate
September 10, 2018
Tom was alway gracious, engaging and genuine in his connection with others. He spoke into my life many years ago and told me I'd be a great fundraiser. I took him at his word and I've been in the nonprofit sector ever since. I am grateful to have met him. He will be deeply missed.
Trisha Lester
September 10, 2018
Tom was a kind person, genuine and grounded, and he brought those qualities to his work, which is how I knew him. I remember first meeting him in 1992 when I had just started at the North Carolina Center for Nonprofits, and the Center and the A.J. Fletcher Foundation were collaborating on a fundraising training for nonprofits. He wanted to know all about my background and what had brought me to the Tar Heel State. He immediately made me feel welcome and part of the team. That warmth and cordiality never wavered. We will miss him.
Jane Kendall
September 8, 2018
Tom was always able to see the world through fresh eyes as an adventure in learning and kindness. I met him when he was a PhD candidate in music Like his peers, he wanted to teach at the college level. But unlike them, he was not discouraged that there were no openings anywhere. He got an MBA instead and always found ways in his career to combine his love of the arts with his skills in management. He helped everyone around him to rediscover a sense of wonder. We will miss him deeply.
Todd Culpepper
September 8, 2018
I'm so sorry to hear of Tom's passing. He was a wonderful person, full of kindness and passion. We need more like him in the world.
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