Thomas R. DIFFLEY

Age 72, of North Oaks, died at home of heart failure on 6/29/16. Tom was born on 9/1/43 and was the second of five children in a lively Eagan, MN, family. He attended Rosemount Elementary School and St. Joseph Catholic School in Rosemount, MN, and graduated from Nazareth Hall in Roseville, MN, in 1961. Tom was especially proud of his St. John's University education in Collegeville, MN, and graduated with the class of 1965 with a Bachelor of Arts in English. He earned a Master of Arts in English from the University of Miami in Coral Gables, FL. Tom met his wife, Kathy McGrath, while working in Glacier National Park during college, and married in 1966 in Miami, FL, where their son, Tom P, was born. Tom began his teaching career in Miami, FL, at the Everglade School for Girls. In 1968, Tom earned his real estate license, which began his 40+ year career in real estate. The family moved to LaCrescent, MN, in 1969, for a high school English teaching position for Tom, and so they could be closer to family when Jim arrived. In 1972, the family moved to the Twin Cities, where their daughter, Meghan, was later born. Tom began his 11 year career at Irondale High School in New Brighton, MN, teaching his beloved English Literature and Poetry classes. While Tom taught high school, he maintained an intense schedule - selling real estate at night and on the weekends. In 1980, Tom joined Edina Realty as a top-listing St. Paul agent. In 1983, he became the Training Director and worked with its holding companies for the next 30 years. Throughout his life, Tom interwove his love of family, teaching, real estate, golf, travel and countless good friends. We will miss his quick-wit, clever insight and observations, and his remarkable efforts to stay connected with his vast community of family and friends. Survived by his wife of 50 years, Kathy; their 3 children, Tom (Alison), Jim (Shelley), and Meghan (Nick); their 6 grandchildren, Tommy, John, Marie, Anna, Claire and Audrey; his brothers, John (Kay) and Martin (Atina); his sisters, Eileen (Dave) and Teresa; and extended family. Preceded in death by parents, Tom and Corinne Diffley. Tom's visitation will be held on Thursday, July 14, 4-8pm at Bradshaw Celebration of Life Center, 4600 Greenhaven Dr., White Bear. On Friday, July 15, a visitation at 9am and Memorial Mass at 10am will be held at Assumption Catholic Church, 51 7th St. W., St. Paul. Tom's luncheon at North Oaks Golf Club, 54 East Oaks Rd., will begin at 11:30am. Memorials may be directed to the Ralph Reeder Food Shelf or Second Harvest Heartland Food Bank. 651-407-8300