As our 45th reunion approaches, I am remembering our friend Tom O'Connor, who wouldn't have missed it for the world! Here is his obituary from late last year.
Rob Liberati
Thomas A. O’Connor Eulogy
December 13, 2023
Robert V. Liberati, Jr
Hello everyone, my name is Robert Liberati, I am grateful that I am one of Tom’s many, many, friends. Thank you for allowing me to speak today. I want to say how honored I am to be a part of this service. I have known Tom and his family since we were in high school together, graduating from Bowie High School in the class of 1979. We both went on to the University of Maryland and majored in the same field “Accounting.” But he was a better student than I was, as he graduated in 1983 and me 1984. He became a CPA and I didn’t. Tom worked hard and eventually went out on his own, as the owner, CAO, and CIO, at Tom O’Connor, CPA, LLC.
When I think about Tom, I see the consummate people person. He made time to speak to everyone, learn their names, their children’s names, and their life stories. Tom made people feel special and made them laugh! In our high school graduating class of nearly one thousand people, everyone knew Tom and over four decades later, he stayed in touch with many in our class.
Tom loved to tell a funny story or a joke, especially at a time or a place that might seem a bit inappropriate, like at Mass or even at a funeral. In fact, he had a standing joke for funerals. He would say “I’m glad I’m not the guest of honor.” Well Tom, don’t go anywhere, today you are our honored guest!
Tom loved his family. The son of Thomas and his late mother MaryEllen, and brother to his older sisters Debbie and Ellen (who married brothers Rick and Kevin), and younger sister Julia and her husband Rich. Tom always spoke about his family and the “adventures of the O’Connors,” but he cared for each of you and was very proud of his heritage including his duel US and Irish citizenship.
Tom met Kathy, his one true love, at a party in March of 1993. But it was during tax season so the actual first date was delayed to late April, and they were married two years later. When Bridgid was born, she completed their perfect party of three, aside from a few cherished cats and dogs along the way. Bridgid, he loved being your dad. He is so proud of you. I remember his stories about coaching you in soccer, or cheering you on in basketball, or when you achieved your hard fought second degree blackbelt in Taekwondo, and your French immersion studies. I know your dad will be watching your upcoming college graduation and will continue to be your biggest cheerleader. He is so proud of the young woman you have become.
Tom was the doting uncle to all his nieces and nephews and his great nieces and nephews. He was a great babysitter! Each year he had the standing job of sitting while the moms went shopping on Black Friday. Tom would plan games and movies to keep everyone occupied. Tom would frequently play the same joke on his nieces and nephews. He would point to their stomach and say “what’s that on your shirt” when they would look down, he would run his finger up and poke them in the chin. I remember when he did that joke on my three-year-old son, Robbie. My son clocked him in the chops. So for the next 23 years, whenever he saw my son, he always stepped back and said “hey Robbie you want a piece of me? Come on!”
Tom also had a way to pull people together. When I needed someone to go with me to bar or even a bible study meeting to meet girls, I took the Tom with me. And that’s how I met my wife, Tami (at bible study). It turned out that Tom and Tami had been in the same geometry class together. Also, Tom met his future brother-in-law Brian Reimer at church and introduced him to Kathy’s sister Trish, and they were married.
Tom could take an average outing and make it unforgettable. Once, when we were single, we went to a tavern at what now is the Comfort Inn in Bowie. We were eating popcorn and having a few beverages when Tom realized he lost a dental implant (one of his teeth). Amongst the popcorn, we all began looking for the tooth on the table and then on the floor. Eventually, the DJ made an announcement about the lost tooth. Believe it or not, we found the tooth! The DJ began playing the theme from Shaft, and Tom gained one of his nicknames that night “Tooth.” That Tooth’s a bad ……
If you knew Tom, you knew he was particular about his hair and his clothing. He could talk about suites and hairspray with any fashion designer. He loved being in the limelight. At his and Kathy’s wedding, a harem of female friends circled him while he danced in the center to the song, “I’m to sexy.”
When I think of Tom in these early years, I remember him traveling around town in the family kids truckster, the 70’s something blue pinto with lots of stickers and a few dents, which weren’t all of his fault of course. One time I heard a traffic report about a vehicle blocking the beltway during the morning rush and the helicopter reporter described a pinto involved. I thought, “what were the chances? Low and behold, Tom heard the same traffic report and later said to me, “you know how embarrassing it is to hear your own accident on the traffic report?” Tom became pretty good at traffic incidents, even predicting them. One time when driving home from Ocean City the muffler fell off his car and it became loud. He saw a state trooper in the center of Route 50 and stopped to say “I didn’t want you to stop me” and told the trooper his muffler had just fallen off. The trooper was not very interested. On another trip he got into an accident (a 3 point violation) and then on the same trip got stopped for speeding (a 2 point violation). He is the only person I know of that got 5 points on his license in one day and wasn’t drunk. He had to get a lawyer, the court date got messed-up and the MVA suspended his license. But he survived and even graduated first in his MD State MVA traffic class!
Unfortunately, Tom had his share of other accidents (falls) outside of being auto related. Years ago, we were at TJ Elliotts, a family restaurant in Bowie, it was dinner time, busy and loud with folks and their kids eating and socializing. Suddenly, without warning, Tom fell out of his chair onto the floor. It was like an EF Hutton commercial from the 1970’s. The entire restaurant went quiet and everyone looked his way. I helped Tom up, and not to miss an opportunity, Tom loudly announced to everyone “I’m not drunk, I have MS.” Then everything went back to normal.
Tom loved sports! Early on it was Ice Hockey. His parents would have to get up super early to get Tom ice time before school. He was the kind of guy to wear a jersey on game day, whether it was the redskins (yes, I said it), or caps, or even that foreign sport known as soccer (the other football). Tom knew all the rules and regulations and even became a soccer referee, although I know of a few matches that he had to make a hasty exit from. Tom became a connoisseur of sports statistics and trivia. He and Brian even called a few high school games. He gained popularity and even hosted the wedding game show on early Bowie City Cable TV (which an episode my wife and I happened to win). After one of my answers on the show, he said (on camera) “I know what he meant I know him” and gave us the points. Regarding his pursuit of trivia, I heard one of his relatives say Tom’s brain is a vault of useless information! But he was definitely the guy you wanted on your trivia team. Besides sports, Tom dabbled in Astronomy, and cooking (BBQing), with his big green egg.
There was only one hobby that Tom loved more than the others and that was music, I remember the earlier years when he was a drummer, or according to him, a percussionist. He even got my son interested in drumming. Which I recommend that you young parents out there push your child into any other instrument, believe me, you will thank me later! Remember how you get a drummer off your porch; you pay him for the pizza! Tom drummed traditional marches with his father and grandfather, playing the bagpipes. He was in a few bands but none more popular than Cabaret, Marge Wanders’ with Ron Holmquest’s wedding band, and thus Tom became a wedding singer for a short time, a very short time. And of course, he was part of the music program at St. Pius X Church in Bowie (9:00 group) for many years, where he teamed-up with the infamous Tom Nowicki (DJ Sean Casey), who would make Tom beat red with jokes during Mass.
Fifteen years ago, Tom received the diagnosis for the disease of Multiple Sclerosis. He knew the battle that lay ahead for him. He, Kathy, and Brigid, faced MS as a family, learning more and more about disease and its effects. With the care of his family and friends, and the support of a large following of his fellow MS warriors, he played the best game of his life and left it all on the field. Then, God tapped him on the shoulder and took him out of the game to a standing ovation from heaven.
You know I could go on and on about my friend Tom. But for those of you who called Tom, husband, father, son, brother, uncle, in-law, friend or even my tax guy, I could not do justice to describe only a bit of his life. But he would want me to say to you, how much all of you meant to him, and in spite of the affliction he endured, he enjoyed and cherished his life with you!
Sorry for the loss of Tom. I remember him but didn't know him well. Thankful for Robert's long and thoughtful eulogy about his good friend. Hard to keep track of such a large group of people as Robert mentioned--almost a thousand people. Sounds like we lost another oustanding human being and member of the class of 1979. Nice to know that he will be missed by many.
Rob, thank you for sharing your remarks. I was in the back of the church and couldn't hear eveything you said. Tommy was such a great guy and will be missed by every single one of us, especially us Kenilworth Kids who knew him from first grade on.
Robert Liberati
Hello All,
As our 45th reunion approaches, I am remembering our friend Tom O'Connor, who wouldn't have missed it for the world! Here is his obituary from late last year.
Rob Liberati
Thomas A. O’Connor Eulogy
December 13, 2023
Robert V. Liberati, Jr
Hello everyone, my name is Robert Liberati, I am grateful that I am one of Tom’s many, many, friends. Thank you for allowing me to speak today. I want to say how honored I am to be a part of this service. I have known Tom and his family since we were in high school together, graduating from Bowie High School in the class of 1979. We both went on to the University of Maryland and majored in the same field “Accounting.” But he was a better student than I was, as he graduated in 1983 and me 1984. He became a CPA and I didn’t. Tom worked hard and eventually went out on his own, as the owner, CAO, and CIO, at Tom O’Connor, CPA, LLC.
When I think about Tom, I see the consummate people person. He made time to speak to everyone, learn their names, their children’s names, and their life stories. Tom made people feel special and made them laugh! In our high school graduating class of nearly one thousand people, everyone knew Tom and over four decades later, he stayed in touch with many in our class.
Tom loved to tell a funny story or a joke, especially at a time or a place that might seem a bit inappropriate, like at Mass or even at a funeral. In fact, he had a standing joke for funerals. He would say “I’m glad I’m not the guest of honor.” Well Tom, don’t go anywhere, today you are our honored guest!
Tom loved his family. The son of Thomas and his late mother MaryEllen, and brother to his older sisters Debbie and Ellen (who married brothers Rick and Kevin), and younger sister Julia and her husband Rich. Tom always spoke about his family and the “adventures of the O’Connors,” but he cared for each of you and was very proud of his heritage including his duel US and Irish citizenship.
Tom met Kathy, his one true love, at a party in March of 1993. But it was during tax season so the actual first date was delayed to late April, and they were married two years later. When Bridgid was born, she completed their perfect party of three, aside from a few cherished cats and dogs along the way. Bridgid, he loved being your dad. He is so proud of you. I remember his stories about coaching you in soccer, or cheering you on in basketball, or when you achieved your hard fought second degree blackbelt in Taekwondo, and your French immersion studies. I know your dad will be watching your upcoming college graduation and will continue to be your biggest cheerleader. He is so proud of the young woman you have become.
Tom was the doting uncle to all his nieces and nephews and his great nieces and nephews. He was a great babysitter! Each year he had the standing job of sitting while the moms went shopping on Black Friday. Tom would plan games and movies to keep everyone occupied. Tom would frequently play the same joke on his nieces and nephews. He would point to their stomach and say “what’s that on your shirt” when they would look down, he would run his finger up and poke them in the chin. I remember when he did that joke on my three-year-old son, Robbie. My son clocked him in the chops. So for the next 23 years, whenever he saw my son, he always stepped back and said “hey Robbie you want a piece of me? Come on!”
Tom also had a way to pull people together. When I needed someone to go with me to bar or even a bible study meeting to meet girls, I took the Tom with me. And that’s how I met my wife, Tami (at bible study). It turned out that Tom and Tami had been in the same geometry class together. Also, Tom met his future brother-in-law Brian Reimer at church and introduced him to Kathy’s sister Trish, and they were married.
Tom could take an average outing and make it unforgettable. Once, when we were single, we went to a tavern at what now is the Comfort Inn in Bowie. We were eating popcorn and having a few beverages when Tom realized he lost a dental implant (one of his teeth). Amongst the popcorn, we all began looking for the tooth on the table and then on the floor. Eventually, the DJ made an announcement about the lost tooth. Believe it or not, we found the tooth! The DJ began playing the theme from Shaft, and Tom gained one of his nicknames that night “Tooth.” That Tooth’s a bad ……
If you knew Tom, you knew he was particular about his hair and his clothing. He could talk about suites and hairspray with any fashion designer. He loved being in the limelight. At his and Kathy’s wedding, a harem of female friends circled him while he danced in the center to the song, “I’m to sexy.”
When I think of Tom in these early years, I remember him traveling around town in the family kids truckster, the 70’s something blue pinto with lots of stickers and a few dents, which weren’t all of his fault of course. One time I heard a traffic report about a vehicle blocking the beltway during the morning rush and the helicopter reporter described a pinto involved. I thought, “what were the chances? Low and behold, Tom heard the same traffic report and later said to me, “you know how embarrassing it is to hear your own accident on the traffic report?” Tom became pretty good at traffic incidents, even predicting them. One time when driving home from Ocean City the muffler fell off his car and it became loud. He saw a state trooper in the center of Route 50 and stopped to say “I didn’t want you to stop me” and told the trooper his muffler had just fallen off. The trooper was not very interested. On another trip he got into an accident (a 3 point violation) and then on the same trip got stopped for speeding (a 2 point violation). He is the only person I know of that got 5 points on his license in one day and wasn’t drunk. He had to get a lawyer, the court date got messed-up and the MVA suspended his license. But he survived and even graduated first in his MD State MVA traffic class!
Unfortunately, Tom had his share of other accidents (falls) outside of being auto related. Years ago, we were at TJ Elliotts, a family restaurant in Bowie, it was dinner time, busy and loud with folks and their kids eating and socializing. Suddenly, without warning, Tom fell out of his chair onto the floor. It was like an EF Hutton commercial from the 1970’s. The entire restaurant went quiet and everyone looked his way. I helped Tom up, and not to miss an opportunity, Tom loudly announced to everyone “I’m not drunk, I have MS.” Then everything went back to normal.
Tom loved sports! Early on it was Ice Hockey. His parents would have to get up super early to get Tom ice time before school. He was the kind of guy to wear a jersey on game day, whether it was the redskins (yes, I said it), or caps, or even that foreign sport known as soccer (the other football). Tom knew all the rules and regulations and even became a soccer referee, although I know of a few matches that he had to make a hasty exit from. Tom became a connoisseur of sports statistics and trivia. He and Brian even called a few high school games. He gained popularity and even hosted the wedding game show on early Bowie City Cable TV (which an episode my wife and I happened to win). After one of my answers on the show, he said (on camera) “I know what he meant I know him” and gave us the points. Regarding his pursuit of trivia, I heard one of his relatives say Tom’s brain is a vault of useless information! But he was definitely the guy you wanted on your trivia team. Besides sports, Tom dabbled in Astronomy, and cooking (BBQing), with his big green egg.
There was only one hobby that Tom loved more than the others and that was music, I remember the earlier years when he was a drummer, or according to him, a percussionist. He even got my son interested in drumming. Which I recommend that you young parents out there push your child into any other instrument, believe me, you will thank me later! Remember how you get a drummer off your porch; you pay him for the pizza! Tom drummed traditional marches with his father and grandfather, playing the bagpipes. He was in a few bands but none more popular than Cabaret, Marge Wanders’ with Ron Holmquest’s wedding band, and thus Tom became a wedding singer for a short time, a very short time. And of course, he was part of the music program at St. Pius X Church in Bowie (9:00 group) for many years, where he teamed-up with the infamous Tom Nowicki (DJ Sean Casey), who would make Tom beat red with jokes during Mass.
Fifteen years ago, Tom received the diagnosis for the disease of Multiple Sclerosis. He knew the battle that lay ahead for him. He, Kathy, and Brigid, faced MS as a family, learning more and more about disease and its effects. With the care of his family and friends, and the support of a large following of his fellow MS warriors, he played the best game of his life and left it all on the field. Then, God tapped him on the shoulder and took him out of the game to a standing ovation from heaven.
You know I could go on and on about my friend Tom. But for those of you who called Tom, husband, father, son, brother, uncle, in-law, friend or even my tax guy, I could not do justice to describe only a bit of his life. But he would want me to say to you, how much all of you meant to him, and in spite of the affliction he endured, he enjoyed and cherished his life with you!
Thank you! Rob
Michael D. Wood
Sorry for the loss of Tom. I remember him but didn't know him well. Thankful for Robert's long and thoughtful eulogy about his good friend. Hard to keep track of such a large group of people as Robert mentioned--almost a thousand people. Sounds like we lost another oustanding human being and member of the class of 1979. Nice to know that he will be missed by many.
Respectfully,
Michael Wood
Karen Frank (Beck)
Rob, thank you for sharing your remarks. I was in the back of the church and couldn't hear eveything you said. Tommy was such a great guy and will be missed by every single one of us, especially us Kenilworth Kids who knew him from first grade on.