Maureen’s Eulogy for Tommy
I’d like to start by expressing thanks to our friends and family who are joining us here today, and also for your love and care of Tommy. As we all know, Tom was a vibrant soul with magnetic charm and he captured our hearts. Tommy was fun, uber competitive, and he was always up for adventure. The stories are almost endless and his dear friend Hilo, in a loving tribute, described it as needing five novels bigger than the bible to capture all of his antics. 

I was his little sister and we were buddies. He taught me a lot….like the love of music, how to waterski and drive a car were just a few. I could go on, but his most impactful teaching was how to stand up for myself. This was actually, and usually, in self defense because of his relentless antagonism and teasing. For Tommy it was sport and while it led to many a skirmish, we loved each other deeply and were always quick to make up and move on. 

On the offensive, he would often say to me… “Maureen you can do whatever you want”.  Because you know, Tom normally did do whatever he wanted. While this philosophy could be double-edged for him, it was also a pivot point of encouragement for me to aim high. I can say with confidence that many in the congregation today also experienced Tom’s unwavering support. In his final weeks I was grateful that I had the opportunity to say thank you.

We all know that Tommy had his struggles in life which caused hardships for him and for his loved ones, also many a worry. Yet despite this, and as John shared, he fought his way back with sheer determination and perseverance …..and Tom remained a fighter till the end. His last 7 weeks here on earth were spent at the Reno VA in a combination of the hospital, rehab and finally… hospice. Most days he walked his laps and attended his exercise class, even when every effort was a mountain for him to climb. We all witnessed his intense resiliency and his fighting spirit right up and until his last day.

By the end, Tommy found solace in the presence of his God and the knowledge that he was surrounded by love of his family, whom he cared so deeply for. He shared that he could feel that the end was near and spoke of being at the beach. He even described the soft ocean breezes and the sound of waves. I love this parting gift of his…. and I take comfort in the knowledge that he has found his place among the stars together with our brother Edward and with Mom and Dad.

God bless and love always Tommy ❤️

Doug and I extend our most heartfelt and sincere condolences to the Mullarkey family. It’s been such an honor and blessing to have known you all. I met Maureen when we were 13 years old and I shared with her how much I loved and admired her mother who was my 7th grade teacher at St. Catherine’s. Mrs. Mullarkey encouraged my interest in science and I credit her with enhancing my curiosity for learning. Along with Maureen I became friends with Dee, Eileen, Pam, Janet and many other wonderful St. Linus “kids” over the years. We had so much fun and I recall meeting Tommy and Johnny at one of the house parties. Over the years I got to know Tommy better and I fell in love with his passion for life – he lived life to the fullest and always made us laugh. Tommy treated everyone with the utmost kindness and respect and I never heard him say a bad thing about anyone. When Eileen and I visited Maureen at UT, Tommy happened to pop into town. He climbed into Maureen’s apartment and we all went nuts because we were so glad to see him. As Eileen said, we had an absolute blast! From swimming off the tree rope at Barton Springs, canoeing on the Colorado river, and hitchhiking to San Antonio - every moment of this trip was filled with new adventures and many laughs. I remember the crazy car rides to San Antonio well. I think it took 8 different drivers, and Eileen and I made Tommy, as our brave and strong Marine, sit in the front seats. Tommy was a hoot as he engaged the drivers in interesting and funny conversations. One man was a preacher and he said a prayer for our safety while we all held hands. At a restaurant on the River Walk, while drinking beer in the biggest goblet I ever saw, Tommy told me to try a jalapeno. I was hesitant but Tommy said “Go ahead, Peg, you’ll love it.” It was way too spicy for me and I laughed so hard and had to chug my beer down. We had many fun times on Magician lake and we will always remember Tommy’s laugh and how he made us feel so special and loved.  We wish you eternal peace Tommy. We will miss the way you captivated us all and we’ll keep our happy memories and love for you in our hearts until we meet again. 

To my pal, Mo Mo, Johnny, Madeline, Marie and MaryBeth, and all of your family members - our deepest sympathies for the loss of your sweet, awesome, always smiling Tommy. We have so many fond memories of our crazy times growing up together. He was definitely a box of holy shit fun which is why everybody loved him so! I distinctly remember my Mom (also Mary Therese) asking my brother John in the morning “Where is my car?” To which he most often replied “I left it parked in front of Mullarkey’s house because it was out of gas.”

We are sending all of our prayers and love to you at this difficult time. I know you will all miss him dearly.

Tommy was certainly one of a kind. Everyone was always happy to see him. I worked with Tommy on a few jobs and he was the life of the party. no one can forget him

Aww sweet Tommy. You will be missed..Some of my best memories and times in my life were hanging out at Mullarkey's house. I don't know how Mr. And Mrs. Mullarkey put up with us. I remember when Tommy drove his blue car, we would hear it coming from blocks away. I remember when Peggy, Tommy and myself went to visit Maureen in Austin. We had the time of our lives. All those years up in Michigan. My husband Tim and I went to a south side rugby game of Tommy's and Johnny's. Growing up with five girls ,I was mortified to watch the game.My husband said this is rugby. Tommy came off the field He was all bloody, I said Oh no Tommy's hurt. Well not to these guys. Tommy dated by sister Janet. They were a great pair although very young. Tommy was so sweet to her. Tommy had a heart of gold. I will miss his hearty laugh and Irish humor. I still to this day remember his Irish jacket he always wore. I will miss his kindness. I'm glad your with your family in heaven now. Love you Tommy, Thanks for the memories. Until we meet again ,May God hold you in the palm of his hand. Eileen McKenna Lawless

My cousin Tommy was one of my favorite people in the world. He was always there with a quick smile, and a big hearty laugh, and he was always everyone's biggest cheerleader and supporter. No matter how hard of a time you were having, he was there to cheer you up and make you feel better. And nobody who knew Tommy was unchanged by him. He brought joy to everyone. He was silly, and playful, and always on your side.

He's my eldest cousin, so he also knew every one of us for our entire lives. Which means he always had a good story or memory to share about our parents or grandparents. Losing him reminds me of just how blessed my entire life has been, and what an amazing gift he has been to me, and to all of us. We had fun nicknames for each other, and so many marvelous memories that I will cherish forever. God bless you, Chauncey, I know you're keeping an eye on all of us from Heaven.

Tommy was the kind of person that was so easy to be around. We shared a Thanksgiving, Tommy , Maureen my mom and I. My mom was exceptionally pleased with Tommy’s appetite, a true compliment to the chef. After our meal we all lounged around the living room, watching The King and I, Maureen and I singing along and Tommy sitting back with his infectious smile. Maureen and Tommy had a commitment for another engagement, she asked him if he was ready to leave and he just smiled and said “Nope”. That Thanksgiving and Tommy live in my heart. So glad to have had the opportunity to know him.

To my dearest friend

I have talked about you every day for 50 plus years  I am happy you are in heaven but the world has lost one of its riches Souls. I was so blessed to have had you and Johnny and Fitz and Paul and Kirk and Nitz and Grif and Kuch in my life. 
Tommy, it would take 5 novels each larger than the Bible to fit the stories of our travels together. You were the most competitive person I ever met. I would only have to throw a small challenge comment to you and you would not just meet that challenge, but obliterate it.

You were the best catcher and third baseman I remember. You and Johnny were All State Champions in wrestling.
Johnny was an all star shortstop and second baseman and Fitz an unbelievable pitcher. 

When we played pick up ball, we were exactly like the guys in the movie
“ Sandlot”.

Our summers together were unforgettable. Thank you Tommy for driving me and Fitz to Rice every day in the blue car.  Fitz used to say he could hear Tommy start the car inside his house that’s how he knew to get ready. The gas guage was always on E or below E and Tommy would swerve the car back and forth to get every drop of gas.

Maybe John and Fitz want to talk about the tricycle attached to the back of Tommy’s car with a ski rope on garbage night.
Or holiday Christmas lights contests
Or Snowball challenges from the curb

But one memory of being at a Notre Dame game with Mr Mullarkey and going to Joe Theismans dorm room after the game and meeting him. Mr Mullarkey convinced him to come to our little league parade and he came there.
But first he came to The Mullarkeys and threw passes to us. Mr Theisman threw one to me and I caught it diving over an 8 foot fence with one hand-he told me that was the greatest catch he ever saw.

I’m sorry I just lied. I was the only person who dropped a pass.

Tommy, I’m going to write more about our ventures but I’m too sad right now.

I loved every second of our times hanging out and was always hoping someday I would see you again.

You’re home now Buddy with your mom and dad.

Love ❤️ ya

Hilo