Thomas Joseph Ahern Jr.

AHERN
THOMAS JOSEPH AHEARN, JR.

Of Scottsdale, Arizona passed away peacefully in the late evening August 31, 2007. Born in Washington DC on December 22, 1922, Tom was the second son of Hannah Harnedy Ahern and Thomas Joseph Ahern Sr. He had one older brother, Harry Ahern.

As a youth, Tom spent summers playing baseball in the then open fields near the Capitol building. Early education was provided by area Catholic schools. During World War II as a young man Tom enlisted in the Navy, served honorably and was discharged. He had the opportunity to attend the University of Pennsylvania, Harvard, and Georgetown Law School where he received his degree. Tom spent most of his years in the Washington area, raising eight children in the District suburb of Fairfax, Virginia. He became a successful partner in a Washington law firm and tried cases in front of renowned figures such as Judge John Sirica of Watergate fame.

Tom was a capable story teller and wasn't adverse to repeating a story a time or two that he had orated on earlier occasion. Most who knew him understood what was to follow when he began "I know I've probably told you this before...", that the story was bound to be told again. But the story was always interesting. And it provided an opportunity relished by his offspring to tease by jumping in to complete his story before he could.

Tom retired from law and decided to move to America's Finest City, a town he had enjoyed as a serviceman. He spent over a dozen years in San Diego enjoying the sunshine and the golf. He then moved with family to the Valley of the Sun and spent his remaining years here with many of his children and grandchildren.

Tom is survived by his eight children, Jeffrey Michael, Caryn Ann, Kevin Thomas, Christopher Tucker, Thomas Joseph III, Laura Elizabeth Ondrus, Cathleen Marie, and Timothy Patrick, and his fourteen grandchildren, Shawn, Christopher, Tucker, Hannah, Matthew, Michael, Taylor, Delaney, Christopher, Emma, Logan, Thomas IV, Kasey and Haley. Family and friends will be gathering together this week in Scottsdale to again complete Tom's story. Viewing and commemoration will be held Friday, September 14 from 5 to 8 p.m. at Hansen Desert Hills Chapel, 6500 E. Bell Road, Scottsdale, AZ 85254. Memorial services will be held the following day, Saturday, September 15th, at 11 a.m. also at Hansen Desert Hills Chapel, 480-991-5800.