Community Remembers Tom Kehoe

Thomas P. "Tom" Kehoe, 61, of Shelburne Falls, passed away Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2014.

Tom was born in Boston on Oct. 8, 1952, the son of Thomas P. and Catherine G. (Fitzgerald) Kehoe Jr. Tom was a graduate of the University of Maine at Orono with a B.A. in sociology.

Tom spent most of his life as a talented woodworker in the Shelburne Falls area; his hands and heart crafted countless beautiful pieces featured around western Massachusetts, including renovation of the Shelburne Falls Trolley, the Shelburne Falls Wine Merchant, and many fine homes and cabinetry. His work will continue to be treasured by those who live and work amongst it, and his friends-local carpenters,painters and more-are admired immensely by Tom's wife and children.

Tom was a member of the Dzogchen Community of Conway, and was a lover of nature, including the ocean, walks in the woods, birding, and traveling to visit his children and partake in their adventures, such as trips to Denmark, Iceland, Costa Rica and Alaska. In addition to the great outdoors, Tom's humble, kind, and spirited personality was always reflected in the books and poetry he read, the music he sang, and the amazing friends he kept in close company. Tom, his wife, and his children enjoyed good food, laughter, games, hiking and camping, dance parties in the kitchen, and philosophical conversations throughout all the wonderful years they had together.

Tom's pride and joy was his wife and children; as a father, he made sure to attend sporting events, edit homework, and tell amazing bedtime stories. As his children grew up, he encouraged them to be students of life during their years at UMass Amherst and the journeys they embarked upon thereafter. As a husband, Tom was always in awe of the strength and beauty of his wife. As a young couple they lived in India and in most recent years enjoyed relaxing on their porch with the views of the mountains surrounding Shelburne Falls.

Tom is survived by his wife, Joyce A. (Mazanek) Kehoe, whom he married on July 16, 1983 at St. Patrick's Church in Kent, Ohio; a son, Nathan Thomas Kehoe of Avon, Colo.; a daughter, Jennifer Rose Kehoe and her fiance Silas Tikaan Galbreath of Anchorage, Alaska; his parents, of Scituate; four brothers, Paul (Rosalie, M) Kehoe of LaGrange Park, Ill., Gerald (Donna) Kehoe of Milton, James (Terri) Kehoe of Westborough, and Philip Kehoe of Scituate; a sister, Elizabeth Finkenstaedt of Norwell; brother and sisters-in-law, Steve and Trish Mazanek of South Fallsburg, N.Y., Alan and Trisha Mazanek of Ravenna, Ohio, and June and Bob Stitler of Deland, Fla.; mother-in-law Rosemary Mazanek of Kent, Ohio; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

An informal and celebratory gathering for family and all friends in the community will be held at the Shelburne-Buckland Community Center, at the corner of Main and Church streets in Shelburne Falls, from 6 to 10 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 18. Light refreshments will be served and attendees are welcome to bring a potluck dish to share and byob. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Tom's name may be made to the Kehoe Family through paypal.com's transfer feature to tomkehoememorialfund@gmail.com.