Obituary for Thomas Martin "Tom" Kirrane Sr.
Thomas Martin Kirrane, Sr. of Sandy Hook, CT, died peacefully in his home surrounded by his family on August 27, 2021. He was 84 years old.
Tom was born October 23, 1936, son of the late Roger and Margaret Kirrane in Rathbrennan, County Roscommon, Ireland. He was the first child born in the village.
Tom was raised on the family farm and worked from a young age as a farm labourer caring for various animals. At the age of 19, he immigrated to the United States and settled in Bridgeport, Connecticut. He became a proud American citizen in March 1965.
Tom worked as a salesman at Grant’s department store in Bridgeport and then as a wire drawer and floor manager at Kanthal in Bethel, where he spent the majority of his career. In the early 1990s Tom went into business for himself and founded Tom Kirrane Painting. For the next twenty years he painted homes and businesses. His signs and shamrock logo were a familiar sight throughout southwestern Connecticut.
Tom was an exceptional bowler. He loved to attend farm festivals and share a bit of the craic with other immigrants and expats at Irish festivals. After retirement, he cherished his time spent with his grandchildren, meticulously cared for his lawn, and always watched his native County Roscommon gaelic football team. He was a perfectionist in everything he did and found peace in undertaking honest, hard work.
Tom married his wife, Sarah (Gill) Kirrane, on August 30, 1969. They moved to their home in Sandy Hook in 1976 where together they raised five children. Tom was a devoted parishioner of St. Rose of Lima Parish in Newtown for 45 years. He steadfastly attended Mass and served the community as a Eucharistic minister for many years.
Tom was predeceased by his brother John Kirrane and his sisters Mary McEleny and Nora Kelly.
Tom is survived by his wife of 51 years, Sarah Kirrane. He is also survived by his five children and nine grandchildren: his son Thomas Kirrane, Jr, and his wife Jeannette, of San Ramon, California and their children Andrew, Rachel, and Brian; his daughter Mary Kirrane of Newtown and her children Patrick and Ashlynn; his daughter Patricia West and her husband Jim of Marlborough, Connecticut and their children Sarah and Robert; his son John Kirrane and his wife Stacy of Newtown Square, Pennsylvania and their children Eamon and Ennio; and his daughter Kathleen Kirrane of Newtown. Tom is also survived by his sister, Delia Canny of Trim, County Meath, Ireland.
Calling hours will be held on Friday, September 3rd at the Honan Funeral Home in Newtown from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Rose of Lima Church in Newtown on Saturday, September 4th at noon. Interment will follow in St. Rose Cemetery.
The family wishes to express their gratitude to Regional Hospice for the loving care they provided Tom.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Regional Hospice, Faith Food Pantry of Newtown, or Integrated Refugee and Immigrant Services and their mission to help those from foreign lands create new lives in the adopted nation that Tom dearly loved.
Tom was born October 23, 1936, son of the late Roger and Margaret Kirrane in Rathbrennan, County Roscommon, Ireland. He was the first child born in the village.
Tom was raised on the family farm and worked from a young age as a farm labourer caring for various animals. At the age of 19, he immigrated to the United States and settled in Bridgeport, Connecticut. He became a proud American citizen in March 1965.
Tom worked as a salesman at Grant’s department store in Bridgeport and then as a wire drawer and floor manager at Kanthal in Bethel, where he spent the majority of his career. In the early 1990s Tom went into business for himself and founded Tom Kirrane Painting. For the next twenty years he painted homes and businesses. His signs and shamrock logo were a familiar sight throughout southwestern Connecticut.
Tom was an exceptional bowler. He loved to attend farm festivals and share a bit of the craic with other immigrants and expats at Irish festivals. After retirement, he cherished his time spent with his grandchildren, meticulously cared for his lawn, and always watched his native County Roscommon gaelic football team. He was a perfectionist in everything he did and found peace in undertaking honest, hard work.
Tom married his wife, Sarah (Gill) Kirrane, on August 30, 1969. They moved to their home in Sandy Hook in 1976 where together they raised five children. Tom was a devoted parishioner of St. Rose of Lima Parish in Newtown for 45 years. He steadfastly attended Mass and served the community as a Eucharistic minister for many years.
Tom was predeceased by his brother John Kirrane and his sisters Mary McEleny and Nora Kelly.
Tom is survived by his wife of 51 years, Sarah Kirrane. He is also survived by his five children and nine grandchildren: his son Thomas Kirrane, Jr, and his wife Jeannette, of San Ramon, California and their children Andrew, Rachel, and Brian; his daughter Mary Kirrane of Newtown and her children Patrick and Ashlynn; his daughter Patricia West and her husband Jim of Marlborough, Connecticut and their children Sarah and Robert; his son John Kirrane and his wife Stacy of Newtown Square, Pennsylvania and their children Eamon and Ennio; and his daughter Kathleen Kirrane of Newtown. Tom is also survived by his sister, Delia Canny of Trim, County Meath, Ireland.
Calling hours will be held on Friday, September 3rd at the Honan Funeral Home in Newtown from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Rose of Lima Church in Newtown on Saturday, September 4th at noon. Interment will follow in St. Rose Cemetery.
The family wishes to express their gratitude to Regional Hospice for the loving care they provided Tom.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Regional Hospice, Faith Food Pantry of Newtown, or Integrated Refugee and Immigrant Services and their mission to help those from foreign lands create new lives in the adopted nation that Tom dearly loved.