Thomas Garth McBride Jr.

Thomas G. McBride, Jr, 91, of Ft. Myers, FL, formerly of Naples, FL and Elmhurst, IL, passed away on March 16, 2026.

Born on July 19, 1934 in Chicago, IL, Thomas was the son of Thomas G. and Grace (Maxted) McBride. He grew up in Maywood, IL and attended Proviso High School. He received a Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering from Northwestern University in 1957. He was registered with the Selective Service and joined the Air Force in 1958 where he attended Texas A&M and received a Meteorology degree. He then served 2 years at Scott Air Force Base as a weather forecaster. After leaving the Air Force, he continued his engineering career at CPC International (Best Foods), where he remained for over 40 years and retired as the Director of Instrumental & Electrical Engineering. After retirement, he and his late wife retired to Naples, FL.

His passions were flying and traveling and he was especially happy when doing this with his late wife, Joyce. Hopping in their Cessna, they would take quick trips to visit family and friends, or take a quick flight to have lunch. Their most memorable flying experience was flying cross country across Australia.

He was devoted to his late wife and their greatest gift to their family was setting an example of what love, friendship, respect and happiness truly mean.

He is survived by his children Garth (Dea) McBride, Joel (Judy) McBride, Anne (Marty) Ziocchi, Lisa Noel and Robert (Katy) Jarrett, grandfather to Angela, Zachary, Matthew, Andy, Jeffrey, Alex, Krystal and Jeremiah and great grandfather to many.

Thomas was preceded in death by his wife, Joyce McBride and son Paul McBride.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, April 4th from 9:30-11:30 am at Ahlgrim Funeral Home, 567 Spring Rd, Elmhurst, IL. A brief service will be held at 11:30, before proceeding to Mt. Emblem Cemetery in Elmhurst, IL.

In lieu of flowers, memorials will be appreciated to WGCU PBS and NPR for Southwest Florida.