KELLEHER, Thomas E. of Cambridge, passed away on December 20, 2017. Born in 1930 to former Cambridge City Councilor Dennis P. and Mary (Woods) Kelleher, Tom was the youngest of seven children. Upon graduation from Cambridge Latin, Cambridge. Tom enlisted and served in the U.S. Army during the Korean conflict, following in the footsteps of his five older brothers who served in World War II. Thanks to the G.I. Bill, he was the first member of his family to earn a college degree, graduating from Boston College where he was a proud member of Class of 1957. Tom spent his career working as a bank examiner for the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.

Tom was predeceased by his six siblings John, Richard, Leo, Edward, Marie, and James. He was a beloved and devoted uncle to Mary Loyacano (Joe), Dennis Kelleher (Peggy), Richard Kelleher (Nancy), Patti Kelleher, Nancy Kelleher, Thomas Kelleher, Jeanette Kelleher, William Fields (Donna), and Rick Fields (Shirley).

The love of his family spanned three generations. A great-uncle, Tom was loved like a grandfather by numerous great-nieces and great-nephews and their young children. He delighted in his family, steadfastly championing their endeavors and proudly celebrating their successes.

Tom was a role model of strength, humility, sincerity, wisdom, compassion, and selflessness to all who knew him. Always grateful, generous, and kind, Tom devoted his life to giving to and caring for others. An exceptional listener, Tom had an innate ability to understand and comfort those around him, especially those who were suffering. He was a devoted parishioner and former Treasurer at St. Paul’s Church in Cambridge. Tom was a founding Board member of Shelter, Inc., a charity to end homelessness in Boston, which is now known as Heading Home.

In the truest sense of the saying, Tom will be remembered by all who knew him as a “man for others.” A constant beacon of love, hope, good humor and strength for his adoring family, his life will continue to guide and inspire all who knew him.

The family will receive friends on Tuesday, December 26, 2017 from 4:00 to 8:00 PM at Keefe Funeral Home, 2175 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, December 27, 2017 at 10:00 AM at St. Paul’s Church in Cambridge with internment to follow at Holy Cross Cemetery in Malden, MA.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Thomas E. Kelleher '57 Military Scholarship at Boston College c/o Boston College Development Office 140 Commonwealth Ave, Chestnut Hill, MA 02467 or Heading Home, 520 Main Street #100, Charlestown, MA 02129.

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