Thomas Michael Roughan

Saugus- Mr. Thomas Michael Roughan, age 81, died on Friday, August 16th at Massachusetts General Hospital surrounded by his loving family.
Born in Everett and raised in Medford, Tom graduated from Medford High School in 1963 and was employed as a retail manager for the Zayre department store chain for many years. He moved to Saugus in 1968 where he lived for more than 50 years. Tom was a die-hard Red Sox fan, a talented photographer, an avid bird watcher, and a weather guru. Above all else, Tom was a devoted father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend.
Tom is survived by his wife Diane (Blakesley) Roughan; his daughter Kelly Devine and her husband Chris of Acton; his son Tom Roughan and his wife Erin of Haverhill; his grandsons Zach Roughan of Haverhill and Danny Roughan of Canon City, CO; his sister Barbara Veglia and her husband Frank of Freedom, NH; nieces Lynne Rodriguez, Jennifer Cornett, and Katelyn Veglia; nephew Shawn Ducrow; and close friend Kathy Widell.
Tom was predeceased by his parents, Thomas and Bernice (Kennedy) Roughan, and sisters Elizabeth Rodriguez and Patricia Cardinale. He and Barbara would often reminisce and laugh about the mischief he and his sisters would get into as kids during their days growing up in Medford.
Tom fiercely loved his grandsons, who could do no wrong in his eyes. He took thousands of pictures of them, regularly attended their school activities, and continued to marvel at their accomplishments and adventures as they entered adulthood.
Tom always put his family first and was quick to respond to anyone who needed help. When thanked for doing favors, both big and small, he simply replied, "That's what I'm here for." Tom was big on holiday traditions, including playing the Partridge Family Christmas album after Thanksgiving dinner, cooking Swedish meatballs at Christmas, and banging pots and pans outside at midnight on New Year's Eve.
Tom also had the gift of gab. He would typically end a phone call by saying, "Ok, I'll let you go," and would then remember several more topics to discuss before actually letting you go.
Tom was known for giving thoughtful and unique gifts, which included bird clocks, hamburger presses, and other non-practical items. One year he bought three salad shooters for each of his sisters. One of those salad shooters is still with us today (in its original packaging with its Lechmere price tag intact) and is re-gifted annually to unsuspecting recipients.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Tom's memory may be made to the American Lung Association, www.lung.org
SERVICE INFORMATION
Relatives and friends are invited to attend his funeral at St. Margaret's Church, 431 Lincoln Avenue, Saugus, Monday, August 26th at 10:30 a.m. Interment to follow at Oak Grove Cemetery, Medford.