Thomas Francis Scanlan

Tom Scanlan, a devoted family man, wise guy, handyman, tinkerer, and grandfather, passed away on March 11, 2023, in Lake Barrington Woods in Illinois. He was 86 years old.

Born on October 29, 1936, in Boston, Massachusetts, to Charles and Mary Scanlan, Tom attended Boston's Northeastern University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering and a Master of Business Administration.

On July 2, 1960, he married the love of his life, June Ann Kelly, in Arlington, Massachusetts. They were married for over 54 years, until June's passing in 2014 and had five children together. Tom is survived by his five loving children and their spouses: Moira and Jon O'Hara, Tom and Julie Scanlan, Jennifer and Miles Conway, Stephen (and Magda Scanlan), and Paul Scanlan and Trish Striglos; he is also survived by his twelve loving grandchildren, Charlie O'Hara, Maggie O'Hara, Thomas Scanlan, Maddison Scanlan, Hannah Scanlan, Miles Conway, Colette Conway, Charlotte Conway, Sierra Scanlan, Grant Scanlan, Emily Scanlan and Jack Scanlan.

Tom devoted his life to his family as well as to his accomplished career spanning several decades. He worked for various divisions of AT&T - rising to executive management roles - after starting out at Western Electric in Boston straight out of college. He was known for his sharp mind and positive outlook, and the Catholic principles of charity, compassion, and mercy were evident in how he related to others. Tom's fascination with telecommunications developed while serving his country as a member of the United States Army Signal Corps.

Tom mastered the art of fixing almost anything with duct tape and hockey sticks and had the natural ability to make people laugh. He boldly wrote and performed stand-up comedy at Lake Barrington Woods in his final year. He was passionate about cars, especially his beloved early model Ford Mustangs, restoring many throughout his life. Tom loved to travel, taking many exciting trips, including visits with children living in Europe and Australia.

Throughout his life, Tom made countless friends with his generosity, positive attitude, and extensive repertoire of jokes. He touched many lives as he moved with his family from Boston to New York, then to Nebraska, New Jersey, finally settling in Barrington, Illinois, where he lived for many years before moving to Wauconda, and then to Florida.

Tom was also a tireless caretaker, volunteering in various capacities, including coaching youth sports, leading the northern Illinois branch of Alcoholics Anonymous in the 1980s, and teaching CCD at St. Anne Church in Barrington.

Tom's love for life and togetherness transcended the passing of his beloved wife June. In the last four years of his life while residing at Lake Barrington Woods, Tom found love and companionship with Karla Fenton who brought renewed joy and laughter into his days. Tom's family is grateful for the love and togetherness Karla shared with Tom and the warm memories they shared.

The Scanlan family will receive friends for a Celebration of Life for Tom Scanlan on June 4, 2023, from 4-7 pm at The Wild Onion, 22221 N Pepper Rd, Lake Barrington, IL 60010. In lieu of flowers, Tom's family kindly requests that memorial donations be made to the BreastFest of Champions BCRF Fundraising Team in Memory of Tom Scanlan (https://www.bfchampions.org/donate).

In addition to his wife and parents, Tom is preceded in death by his siblings, Mary Lou Flanagan, Phillip Scanlan, and Charlie Scanlan. Tom will be deeply missed by his family, friends, and all who knew him, and his legacy of love, laughter, positivity and resourcefulness will live on.