My Father's Obituary

So, a few weeks ago I was tasked with writing my father's obituary. I decided I would share it here.

Thomas E. Kirwan passed away on Saturday, August 3rd after a short illness. Born to Thomas F. and Anna G. Kirwan on October 19th, 1936, Tom grew up in a hard-working, middle class neighborhood in Buffalo, NY. After serving briefly in the Naval Reserves, he met and married his lifelong love, Barbara J. Rudolph in 1959. Raising four children together, Tom was successful in several careers, from radio personality in upstate NY, to television weatherman and Program Director in Bangor, ME. At the age of 44, he returned to college to earn a degree in Accounting and Management Information Systems from the University of Arizona.

Since moving to San Diego for a position with Vermont Information Processing, Tom had been a driving force within the San Diego Yachting community; Staff Commodore at Chula Vista Yacht Club, Board of Directors of the Coronado Maritime Foundation, the Recreational Boaters of CA, and the Southern California Yachting Association, and most recently serving on the board of San Diego Yachting Association until his death.

Tom is survived by his wife of 54 years, Barbara, and their 4 children, Dori (Bryan) Bearham, Tom and Linda Kirwan, Kay (Scott) Martin, Jeff and Kelly Kirwan, and eight grandchildren and one great granddaughter.

A Celebration of Life will be held at the Chula Vista Yacht Club, Chula Vista CA, Sunday, August 25, 2013 at 2pm.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be sent to:

Coronado Maritime Foundation for Chula Vista Yacht Club Junior Sailing

Attn: John Witherspoon

1631 Strand Way 

Coronado,CA 92118