Dr. Thomas P. Imse Sr.

Dr. Thomas P. Imse, Sr., PhD., 89, of Westborough, died on Thursday, August 13, 2009 at the Beaumont Rehabilitation and Skilled Nursing Center. He was the husband of Fern-Aileen (Symons) Imse to whom he was married for 64 years.

Born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, he was the son of the late Paul and Mamie (Haekler) Imse. He earned a Bachelor and Masters degree from Marquette University and his PhD, at the University of Maryland. He received Honorary Degrees by Warnberough University and Mount Senario College.

Dr. Imse was a professor of sociology at the College of the Holy Cross from 1963 to 1988. He also taught at the University of Maryland, Canisius College and the University of Nijmegen.

Tom was a communicant of St. Luke the Evangelist Church, where he served as a lector, a CCD teacher, served on the CCD Board and was involved in the planning and building of the Parish Center. He also served on the Diocesan Council. He was a member and past president of the Rotary Club of Westborough, was a member of the American Society for the Scientific Study of Religion, a member of the American Sociological Association, the Alpha Kappa Delta Honor Society, the Westborough Country Club Building Committee, the Westborough Sites and Facilities Committee and the Westborough Senior Center. Tom was also a trustee and past president of the Age Center of Worcester, a member of the Foreign Relations Committee of Worcester, a member of the Worcester Chamber of Commerce, the Worcester Economic Club, a member of the American Arbitrators Association and Interim President of Mt. Senario College in Wisconsin.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by six sons: Thomas P. Imse, Jr. of Golden, Colorado, Rev. James L. Imse of Hayward, Wisconsin, Peter F. Imse of Bow, NH, John P. Imse of Golden, Colorado, Andrew E. Imse of Simsbury, CT and Mark W. Imse of Auburn, MA; one sister, Janet Tiernan of Lakeland, Florida; 11 grandchildren and one great grandchild. He was the brother of the late Marian Ossmann and Philip Imse.

His funeral Mass will be celebrated on Monday, August 17, at 10:30 A.M. in St. Luke the Evangelist Church, 70 West Main St., Westborough. Burial will follow in St. Luke's Cemetery.

Calling hours at the Rand-Harper-Pickering Westborough Funeral Home, 62 West Main St., Westborough, are Sunday, August 16, from 2 to 5 P.M.

In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the Thomas P. Imse AKD Sociology Award, College of the Holy Cross, 1 College Ave., Worcester, MA 01610.

westboroughfuneralhome.com