Thomas Bernard Concannon Jr., 78, a longtime resident of Newtonville, MA passed away on July 28, 2018 in
Newton, MA. He was born in Newton on November 10, 1939. He is survived by his loving daughters Kate Concannon and Maureen McDonald, grandchildren Finn and Fiona McDonald, his brother William Concannon (wife Mimi), and his nieces Megan McGrath, Sara DeSimone, and Sheila Butze. Tom was the beloved son of Thomas and Anne (Connolly) Concannon and is predeceased by his three sisters Ruth Ann Concannon, Nancy (Anne) Concannon, and Joan Concannon.
After graduating from Newton High School in 1957 he went on to earn a bachelor’s degree from Boston College in 1961. He later received a master’s degree in elementary education from UMass Boston. He taught fifth grade for three years in Maynard, MA before returning to Suffolk University where he earned his law degree in 1969. He went on to practice family law for over 40 years.
He loved the City of Newton where he spent his entire life. He used to joke that he hadn’t moved 1,000 yards from where he was born, raising his family just a block away from his childhood home. The son of a Newton Police Sergeant and secretary for the Newton School system, he embraced his role in public service. He served as the Mayor of Newton from 1994-1997, prior to that he spent five terms on the city’s Board of Alderman. He was the former board President of NewTV and the Newton Cultural Alliance and he also served on the boards of the Newton Schools Foundation, Newton Council on Aging, and the Newton PTA Board of Directors. He volunteered his time as an attorney helping seniors as well as survivors of domestic violence.
A devoted father, loving grandfather, beloved friend and neighbor he was known for his warm sense of humor and love of reading and quotes. He used an index card as a bookmark so that he could keep track of any quote that caught his eye. He later put together a collection of quotes that he delighted in distributing to all his friends.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Friday, August 3rd at 10:30AM in Our Lady Help of Christians Parish, 573 Washington St. Newton, followed by interment in Newton Cemetery. Visiting hours Thursday from 4-8PM
in the Burke & Blackington Funeral Home, 1479 Washington St. West Newton.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Newton Cultural Alliance at http://www.newtonculture.org/ or
the Boys and Girls Club of Newton. https://www.newtonbgc.com/ donate-1