Thomas J. Conlon, Jr.

Thomas J. Conlon Jr, 87, of Worcester passed away peacefully at home February 11, 2026 surrounded by his beloved wife, his family and friends.

Tom was born August 15, 1938, the son of Marguerita (Irons) and Thomas J. Conlon Sr. He was raised in West Rutland, Ma and spent many years on his Uncle Charlie's farm on Crawford Road. Driving the farm vehicles stirred in him a life-long love of trucks and of West Rutland. Later when the family moved to Worcester it dramatically altered his life. He then attended Commerce High.

Tom enlisted in the Air Force and was stationed at Ladd Air Force Base in Fairbanks, Alaska. He drove the fuel tankers that would refuel the aircraft. Once getting accidentally sprayed with fuel by another airman. Not a pleasant experience, but still it furthered his love for driving trucks.

While on leave from the Air Force, Tom met the love of his life, Nancy Snay. They married in 1959 and raised a family in Oxford, Ma. Tom spent 40 years doing what he loved, driving trucks. He was a retired member of Teamster local #25 (Boston) and Teamster local #170 (Worcester). He was an over-the-road driver (mostly doubles), retiring from USF Red Star Express Lines in 1998. He was extremely proud of the over two million miles he logged in his career without an accident. He won numerous awards and certificates for it. He took first place at several truck rodeos and was also was an avid builder of hundreds of truck models. Again, winning awards.

He was a Master Mason with the Rufus Putnam Masonic Lodge AF&AM. He had been an active member of the Rutland Historical Society and self-published The History of West Rutland and Its People with his daughter Donna. He was also an active member of his childhood church The First Congregational Church in Rutland, Ma.

Tom and Nancy spent many years camping in Wells, Me and after retirement, traveled the country in their motorhome. They spent summers in Mass and winters in Sebring Florida. They took an Alaskan cruise, a trip to Novia Scotia with their son Tom and his family and several trips to Aruba with their good friends Ken and Sandy Cook.

Tom and Nancy were active members of the Lions Club of Rutland. He was involved in almost every committee/aspect of the club. He served a term as president, ran the Christmas tree fundraiser, chairman of the ramp building committee (himself and other club members built over 75 for the needy). He was also quite proud to drive the sight mobile to various events and especially the Rutland 4th of July parade. Tom was presented with the Melvin Jones and Joseph J. Camarda Fellowship Awards.

Tom was a gentleman and considered it his duty to help others in need. He was the man to see in the community if you needed repairs done. He would do it all. He power-washed, repaired fences, painted, trimmed trees/branches. He could build almost anything. The list goes on and on. There was no project he wouldn't take on and no time he wouldn't lend a hand or show up with all his tools.

Tom was also an avid reader. He logged in over 1500 books in the last 15 years. You could converse with him on any subject.

Tom and his daughter Donna became inseparable the last few years... shopping together, working on projects at her house/his, doctors appointments, their Dunkin Donuts ice coffee runs. If he was doing something, she was with him (even driving his Dodge Ram.) Most of all, he was thrilled to share his extensive geneology records of the family with her. He has a dozen binders full of records/pictures.

He is predeceased by his baby sister Judith, brothers George and Donald, sister-in-law Karen, cousin Maureen Harrahy Mooney, daughter-in-law Debbie Conlon, and his best buddy Snowball.

He leaves the love of his life Nancy, son Tom, daughter Donna Bisceglia, granddaughters Heather Conlon and Mia Bisceglia, brothers Russell, and Paul, and sister-in-law Catherine Conlon. He also leaves many nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank the care team of Holden Rehab and Skilled Nursing Center and Theresa, Jennifer, Tiffany, Hillary and Ray from Jewish Healthcare Center hospice team. Their care, respect and support of Tom was so comforting to the family in the last week of his life. We are forever grateful.

The family invites friends for visitation on Friday, February 27, 2026 from 4 to 7pm at Miles Funeral Home 1158 Main St. Holden Ma 01520. Funeral service is to be held Saturday, February 28, 2026 at 10am at the First Congregational Church 264 Main St. Rutland Ma with burial to follow at Worcester County Memorial Park 217 Richards Ave Paxton Ma 01612

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Worcester Animal Rescue League http://worcesterarl.org/ in honor of his “best buddy" Snowball.

Arrangements are under the care of Miles Funeral Home, 1158 Main Street, Holden.  www.milesfuneralhome.com