AUGUSTA - Thomas Fallon Reardon Sr., 80, passed away at Maine General Long Term Care at Gray Birch on January 28, 2023, surrounded by his loving family.
Born on December 15, 1943, in Milo, Maine, to Joseph P. Reardon and Eleanor I. (Mitchell), Tom's journey through life was marked by dedication, service, and an indomitable spirit. Tom served in the United States Army National Guard from 1962 to 1966 and played the French horn as a member of Maine's Own 195th Army Band. He was a member of the American Legion, Alfred W. Maxwell Jr.- Post 40.
Tom's professional life began with Bell Telephone as a linesman, a role that took him to Martha's Vineyard. It was there he met his future wife, Aurora Ferreira, setting the stage for a lifelong partnership and the beginning of their family. Tom and Ora married on May 13th, 1966, and eventually settled in Winthrop Maine, where Tom embarked on the career that would define much of his life's work and pride: serving as a Maine State Trooper. Retiring as a Lieutenant after 23 distinguished years, Tom was involved with several programs within the organization including the Maine Criminal Justice Academy. Upon retirement, Tom didn't slow down. He founded The Maine Arson Dog Training Program, contributing significantly to the field and community he held dear.
Even in retirement, Tom's drive and love for adventure continued. He took to long-haul trucking, traversing the country's roads and accumulating miles and stories that he would share with anyone who'd listen. As a Registered Maine Guide, Tom's passions extended into the great outdoors. He was an avid boater, fisherman, hunter, and gardener, finding joy in the simple pleasures that nature had to offer. From Steelhead fishing in the Great Lakes to day trips down the Kennebec, Striper fishing, to the annual Bluefish tournament off the Cape, ice fishing trips to East Grand, and the many deer and moose hunts with friends and family, he always shared this passion. Feeding the birds and squirrels was not just a pastime but a daily ritual that connected him to the backyard and garden that he so loved. He enjoyed time spent with family and friends, poolside, grilling, and enjoying an ice cold beer.
Tom's final years at MaineGeneral Rehab & Long-Term Care @ Gray Birch, affectionately dubbed by him as "Gray B*tch" in his characteristic humorous vein and broken filter, were marked by the same vibrancy and wit he carried throughout his life. Known for his unique T-shirts, relentless sarcasm, and witty banter, he left a lasting impression on both the staff and fellow residents.
Predeceased by his parents and his beloved wife Ora, Tom's legacy is carried on by his sister Ellen Dewitt and her husband Edwin of Milo; his son Thomas Reardon Jr. and wife Rhonda of Ellsworth; daughters Miranda Ketchen and her husband Michael of Winthrop, and Callie Campbell and her husband Bernard of Wayne. "Bumpa's" life is also celebrated by his five grandchildren, Mitchell Ketchen, Brianna Reardon, Michaela Laflin and her husband Ean, Hailey and Kailyn Campbell, and four great-grandchildren, Zane, Aurora, and Easton Laflin, and Wrenley Campbell, brothers and sisters in-law, a niece, three nephews and many cousins whom he spoke fondly of all the time.
A celebration of Tom's life, filled with memories, stories, and the laughter he cherished, will be held at the American Legion Post 40 in Winthrop on February 3, 2024, at 1:00 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Tom's name to the Maine State Troopers Foundation, or the Maine Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association.