Thomas J. Graham

Thomas J. Graham died peacefully at the Colony House Nursing Center, Abington, after a 17-year battle with Parkinson’s disease. He leaves his beloved wife, Mary (Reilly) Graham, with whom he shared 53 years of marriage. Tom was the loving father of Cathleen Graham-De Yulus, Thomas, John, Timothy,  Dennis Graham and Mary Kate Cassidy.  He was the proud  grandfather of 17 grandchildren. Caitlyn Graham Abreu, Marisa, Haley, Devin, and Nicholas DeYulus, Sarah,  Erin, Brendan, Ryan, Jake, Shane, CJ, and Reilly Graham and Kayla, Cameron, Catherine, and Kendall Cassidy.

Tom, born in Dorchester, was the son of the late James and Catherine (Colbert) Graham. He was the dear brother of Teresa Hermanson and the late Maureen Praskiewicz.

He graduated from Weymouth High School in 1958, Stonehill College in 1962, and earned his Masters Degree from Bridgewater State College in 1967. He taught history at Rockland High School for two years followed by 37 years as a well-loved history teacher at Abington Junior High School.

Tom was a longtime coach and mentor throughout his years as an educator. He coached football at Cardinal Spellman High School for two years. In addition to coaching basketball on Saturdays for many years, he coached Abington Minor League and American Legion #112 baseball. Tom will forever be remembered as a beloved baseball and football coach having spent 16 years as Abington Football coach, 18 years as a football coach in East Bridgewater, and an amazingly successful 37 years as Abington’s JV and Varsity baseball coach.

In addition to influencing countless lives over the years as a teacher and coach he was past president of the Abington Education Association, a Grand Knight of the Abington K of C, a CCD teacher and member of the Saint Vincent de Paul Society at St Bridget’s Parish.

Tom’s accomplishments were recognized with many awards over the years. He was listed in Who’s Who Among   America’s Teachers, as well as being named BC High’s Teacher in Excellence. He was selected to receive “Abington’s Best” by Abington’s Board of Selectmen. He was Massachusetts High School Division IV Assistant Football Coach of the Year, He was also inducted in the Massachusetts Baseball Hall of Fame as well as Stonehill College Athletic Hall of Fame. Tom received the Phillip Harris Rotary Award and was the proud Grand Marshall of the St Patrick’s Day parade, a favorite annual local event. He was especially honored to have the baseball diamond at Memorial Field named for him. Tom was a true gentleman. His sense of honor, strength, humor, and kindness will be missed by many.

Visiting hours will be held on Sunday May 6 from 3 to 7pm at Quealy Funeral Home, 116 Adams Street Abington.  A funeral mass will be held at St. Bridget’s  Church, Abington on Monday at 9am, followed by burial at St Patrick’s Cemetery, Rockland.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Thomas J. Graham Charitable Fund at Abington Bank, 6 Harrison Ave. or St Vincent de Paul Society, 455 Plymouth St. or the Green Wave Booster’s Club, PO Box 2140, Abington, MA 02351.

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