Thomas Gregory Ahern

Thomas Gregory Ahern, 88, of Watch Hill, died on the evening of Feb. 25, 2007, having been with his family earlier in the day.
The son of Frank G. Ahern and Frances (McWeeney) Ahern, Mr. Ahern was born on All Soul's Day, Nov. 2, 1918, in Westerly.
He was educated at Exeter Academy, The Taft School, and Brown University, class of 1942.
Tom Ahern will be remembered primarily as an extraordinarily kind and loving gentleman to one and all.
Ahern enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1942 and had a distinguished career in the U.S. military. During World War II, serving in two theaters over four years, he was an agent in The Special Intelligence Bureau of the OSS, working with Allied forces on cases related to crime, espionage and intelligence. Ahern landed in Normandy in the Third Wave of the Invasion in June, 1944. He was awarded a battle-field commission during The Battle of the Bulge, where he subsequently earned The Bronze Star Medal for valor in battle, having led his company to safety after being surrounded by enemy forces in December 1944.
Returning home in 1945, Ahern went to work for the family firm, Ahern Textile Print, where he served as CEO upon the death of his father, Frank G. Ahern.
In his second career, Ahern was a partner in Wallach Associates, a prominent public relations firm in New York City, where he worked until his retirement.
At this point in his life, Ahern focused on giving back to the community in his home town. He was active raising funds for the Westerly Library, where he was a long-time contributing board member and president of the Friends of the Library. In addition, he worked in development for the Westerly YMCA and The Westerly Hospital.
An avid reader and lover of poetry, Ahern was co-host of Public Television's popular program Talking About Books, where he collaborated with his dear friend, David Panceria, in bringing literature to a public forum.
A communicant of the Church of St. Clare in Misquamicut, Ahern served as a lector and usher. Formerly, he worked with Bishop Bernard Flannigan raising funds for St. Patrick's Parish in Norwich, Conn.
Mr. Ahern was a past president of The Misquamicut Club and a long-time member of the Watch Hill Yacht Club. For 10 years, Ahern served as the chairman of the nominating committee for the Watch Hill Fire District. A consummate Irishman, Ahern was also an enthusiastic member of The Friendly Sons of St. Patrick.
He is survived by his beloved wife, Joyce (Schmidt) Ahern, of 58 years, and his five devoted children, Leslie A. Brown, F. Gregory Ahern, Lauren A. Vancans, Thomas G. Ahern Jr., and Joyce A. Callahan. Mr. Ahern had seven wonderful grandchildren, and was predeceased by one grandson, Tyler Ahern Brown.
Mr. Ahern leaves two sisters, Catherine A. Spencer of Middlebury, Conn., and Connie A. Fry of Stuart, Fla.
Calling hours are at The Gaffney-Dolan Funeral Home, 59 Spruce St., Westerly, on Friday, March 2, from 4 to 6 p.m.
A Mass of Christian Burial is scheduled for Saturday, March 3, at 11 a.m. at the Church of St. Clare, 4 Saint Clare Way, Misquamicut, RI 02891.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to The Westerly Library in memory of Tom Ahern.