Thomas 'Tom' J. Shaughnessy

HOLDEN/STERLING – Thomas J. Shaughnessy, 65, of Highland Street, Holden, died peacefully with his wife and daughters by his side on Saturday, July 24, 2010 in UMass Memorial Healthcare-Memorial Campus, Worcester.

He leaves his wife of 43 years, Maureen P. (McGuire) Shaughnessy; two daughters, Colleen M. Shaughnessy Zeena and her husband Scott of Holden and Erin P. Shaughnessy-Zeena and her husband Richard of Princeton; two brothers, Brian Shaughnessy of Leominster and Kevin Shaughnessy of Sterling; five grandchildren, Cassandra, Allison, Jillian, Sydney and Zoe Zeena; several nephews and nieces. A sister, A. Cathleen Kraemer, and two brothers, Michael and John Shaughnessy, predeceased him. He was born in Winthrop, a son of Thomas J. and Anne I. (Sullivan) Shaughnessy, and lived in Clinton, then 37 years in Sterling before moving to Holden in 2006.

Tom graduated from Notre Dame High School and received his Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the College of the Holy Cross, a Master’s degree in Guidance and Psychology from Assumption College, and he completed additional graduate studies at Assumption, Boston University and local state colleges. He was a lifetime educator starting his career as a teacher in Maynard and Notre Dame High School in Fitchburg, and was a Guidance Counselor for St. Stephen’s and St. Peter’s High Schools, both in Worcester, where he worked for several years. He worked for the Montachusett Regional Vocational Technical High School for 20 years, first as Director of Guidance and later as Director of Continuing Education; and in Administration in the Worcester Technical High School where he served as Acting Principal for 18 months. Recently he was an Assistant Principal at Sullivan Middle School in Worcester for five years, retiring in 2005. In 1990, he was the recipient of the Outstanding Achievement in Vocational Education Award by the State Dept. of Education, Division of Occupational Education; and the recipient of the Monty Tech Outstanding Vocational Technical Educator award.

As a resident of Sterling, Tom served as a member and chairman of the Town Personnel Board and Sterling Recreation Committee, and for 16 years he was involved with the Senior Girls Lassie League and Senior Girls Softball as a coach, commissioner and president. He was the recipient of the Town of Sterling’s Frank J. Kaminski Leadership Award for Outstanding Public Service. He was a member of St. Mary’s Church in Jefferson.

Tom was most devoted to his family. His life’s greatest fulfillment came from spending time with his wife, children, and especially his grandchildren, whom he referred to as “Pa’s Angels”.

Tom’s family would like to extend their sincere appreciation to the staff at Commonwealth Oncology, the UMass Memorial Oncology Dept./Levine Cancer Center, especially Dr. Vijay Kasturi, for all their care and compassion.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend calling hours from 5 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, July 28th, in the Miles Funeral Home, 1158 Main Street (Rte. 122A), Holden. Tom’s funeral will be held on Thursday, July 29th, from the funeral home with an 11 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial in St. Mary’s Church, 114 Princeton Street, Jefferson. Burial will be private in Hillside Cemetery, Sterling. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in his memory be made to the UMass Memorial Foundation, Cancer Research Fund, c/o Dr. Vijay Kasturi, 365 Plantation Street, Suite 100, Worcester, MA 01605-2395; or the St. Mary’s Church Building Fund, P.O. Box 2200, Jefferson, MA 01522.

Website & Guest book: www.milesfuneralhome.com