Reverend Thomas M. Kershaw

GROVELAND, MA - Reverend Thomas M. Kershaw, 79, died unexpectedly on Tuesday, March 5, 2013. Tom was the devoted husband of Joyce Kershaw, with whom he shared over 20 years of love and devotion.

Born in Fall River, November 24, 1933, son of the late George Henry Kershaw, M.D. and Josephine Ashworth Martin, he attended Northeastern University in Boston and the Episcopal Theological School.

He was a veteran of the National Guard and served as a Sergeant in the US Army in the Korean War and was a recipient of several medals and commendations including a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star. Father Tom spent many years in Boston at St. Paul’s Cathedral Church and as Priest in Charge from 1979 to 1980, and also served at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Newton. After retirement, he also continued in his ministries as Chaplain at Massachusetts General Hospital and also as Priest in Charge at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Methuen.

Father Tom was very involved with community service organizations throughout his life, including United Way of Boston and as a former member of the President’s Committee for Development at Boston Children’s Hospital, as well as in many financial advisory roles for the Episcopal Church and public service organizations. He enjoyed traveling and had many memorable trips visiting Europe, Hawaii and Disney World with his grandchildren.

Tom was a man who was loved very deeply by all his children, grandchildren, and his wife Joyce. He loved spending time with his grandchildren, who lovingly referred to him as “Bappa”. He worked so hard to make the world a better place and certainly succeeded. He will be missed greatly by all of those whose lives he has touched.

He is survived by his wife, Joyce (Johnstone) Kershaw, three daughters, Elisabeth Kershaw of Rockland, Maine, Karen A. Kershaw and her husband, Clayton Pinney of Redondo Beach, California and Katherine Kershaw of Manchester-by-the-Sea, Massachusetts, two stepsons, Roger Zwicker of New Hampshire and Robert Zwicker and April Cushman of Massachusetts, a stepdaughter, Susan Fenton and her husband Rick of Massachusetts, a sister, Josephine Virginia Letcher of Florida, seven grandchildren, Olivia, Elisabeth, Thomas, Emily, Bryan, Jennie and Drew, and nine great-grandchildren. He was pre-deceased by two brothers, Robert Worrell Kershaw of Melrose and George Henry Kershaw of Fall River.

Relatives and friends may call on Tuesday, March 12, 2013, from 5 to 7:30 PM at Brookside Chapel & Funeral Home, 116 Main St., (Route 121A) Plaistow, NH.  His funeral service will be held on Wednesday, March 13, 2013, at 10:00 AM at the funeral home followed by a Funeral Eucharist at 11:00 AM at  St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church, 187 East Road, Hampstead, NH.  Burial will take place at a later date in Lakeview Cemetery, Hampstead, NH.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to The American Heart Association, 2 Wall St, Manchester, NH.  To send a message of condolence, please visit our website at www.brooksidechapelfh.com.