OCEAN PARK – Thomas M. Tate, 80, of Ocean Park, crossed the threshold with his family by his side on Monday, July 1, 2024.

He was born in Manchester, New Hampshire, on May 10, 1944, a son of Francis and Edith (Kukkola) Tate. He moved to Nashua, N.H., where he graduated from Nashua High School in 1962. He proudly served in the U.S. National Guard Reserve after high school.

Thomas married the love of his life, Betty Hope Trombley in 1971. Together they happily raised their family in Merrimack, New Hampshire, where they lived for 42 years before retiring to Ocean Park Maine in 2014.

He later was employed as a draftsman for Sanders Associates, now BAE Systems, a defense engineering firm. Switching careers, Thomas then founded Merrimack Shuttle, an airport transportation service and Affordable Solutions which placed professionals into temporary and permanent positions specializing in government contracted jobs. 

Thomas was a loving and supportive husband, father and friend. He prioritized date nights with his wife and time with buddies. Tom loved playing pool, tennis, golf and cribbage with friends. He is remembered as the life of the party, often breaking into pseudo French singing to entertain whoever needed a laugh. 

Thomas lived life with integrity, honesty and large doses of humor! He prioritized the well-being of his family. He took pride in his yard work and looked forward to weekend time including Saturday “dump days”. He enjoyed spending time at Merrymeeting Lake and was an avid slalom water skier. 

He volunteered for the New England Parkinson’s Ride in Maine and served as a board member on Alisha’s Love Child Foundation. 

He was predeceased by his beloved wife Elizabeth Hope Tate on Oct. 17, 2019, by his treasured granddaughter Alisha Faye Zibolis in 2011 and by three siblings, Mary Jane Quinn, Francis Tate and Betsy Tate.

He is survived by two daughters, Dawn M. Zibolis–Sekella, Charity B. Tate and granddaughter Maggie Maye Sekella. He is also survived by siblings, Michael Tate and Daniel Tate and cousins, as well as many nieces, nephews, grand nieces and grand nephews.

A funeral mass will be held at 11 a.m., on July 27 at St Margaret’s in Old Orchard Beach. Followed by a luncheon at Joseph’s by the Sea.

To view Thomas’s memorial page or leave an online condolence, please visit http://www.cotefuneralhome.com

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to:

Alisha’s Love Child Foundation, P.O. Box 1131, Wilton, NH. 03086 http://www.lovechildfoundation.org

or to New England Parkinson’s Ride

The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, P.O. Box 5014 Hagerstown, MD 21741 Checks should be payable to: The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research.

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