Thomas L. Gavin

Thomas "Tom" Gavin of Bridgewater passed away on August 25 after a year-long illness.
Tom was born in Boston in 1937 the son of Gertrude Gavin and the late Martin Gavin. He was raised in Charlestown alongside his older brother Eddie.
As a young adult Tom worked various jobs before joining the United States Postal Service and setting off on a career carrying mail then later managing post offices. He married Dotty (Brassil) Gavin in 1968 and settled in Hanson where they raised their four children: Trish, Michelle, Tommy and Jim.
In addition to his work for the USPS, Tom worked second, and sometimes third, jobs to make ends meet when his kids were little. He later served on two local school committees, coached his kids' sports teams and attended an endless parade of games, recitals and plays.
Tom was a devout catholic throughout his adult life. He enjoyed watching horse racing, the Patriots and other sports and was also known to indulge his sweet tooth with a more-than-occasional dessert.
But mostly Tom was a loving, loyal husband and father who put family at the center of his life.
He and Dotty briefly traveled in their retirements and downsized to Bridgewater in 2005 with thoughts of spending the cold winters in Florida. Unfortunately, cancer had other plans and Dotty passed away in 2006 leaving Tom, understandably, a little lost.
He did what he knew best, continuing his dedication to his family as the world's best PopPop. Once again, he attended a seemingly endless parade of games, plays and recitals. He was always quick to let Tyler, Brooke, Katherine, Thomas and Matthew know that "PopPop loves you!".
He was blessed to meet and spend the last ten years of his life with his partner Betty Cadigan. She encouraged him to keep moving and together they traveled, played bocce, socialized and simply enjoyed spending time together alone and with both of their families.
Tom's sarcastic, silly sense of humor was never more evident than in his Betty years.
Tom was predeceased by his parents Gertrude and Martin Gavin of Boston. He was the beloved husband of the late Dorothy Gavin of Hanson.
Tom was a dedicated father to Patricia Martin of Hanover and her husband Larry, Michelle Gavin of Norwell, Thomas Gavin, and James Gavin of Norwell and his wife Bethany.
He was a beloved PopPop to Tyler and Brooke Martin of Hanover, and Katherine, Thomas and Matthew Gavin of Norwell.
He was a loving and dedicated partner to Betty Cadigan of Bridgewater and loved her family as if they were his own.
He was the brother of Eddie Gavin of Hanson and his late wife Marion.
Tom was also the brother-in-law of Thomas Brassil and his wife Pam, the late Peggy and Paul Cameron, the late Jack Brassil and his wife Maryilyn, the late James Brassil and his partner Sandra McKay, Robert Brassil and his wife Lillian, the late Mary Luzzo and her husband Vincent, Fred Brassi and his wife Linda, Joseph Brassil and his wife Deirdre, William Brassil and his wife Katherine, the late Rita & Joseph Carroll, the late Maureen Brassil, the late Paul Brassil and the late Richard Brassil.
He is also survived by many nieces, nephews, extended family members and friends who cared about him deeply. He will be greatly missed.
Family and friends are welcome to celebrate Tom's life on Friday, August 30th from 4-7 PM at Sullivan Funeral Home, 2 Maquan Street, at the corner of Rte 14 & 58 in Hanson.
A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, August 31st, at 11 AM in Holy Apostles Church, 1 Maquan Street, Rte 14 in Hanson. Following the Funeral Mass Tom will be buried next to his beloved wife Dotty and his mother Gertrude in Fern Hill Cemetery in Hanson.
Donations in Tom's memory can be made to the Alzheimer's Association, 320 Nevada St. Suite. 201, Newton, MA 02460.