Thomas F. Lahey, Sr.
Lahey Sr., Thomas F., 87, former owner of Lahey Mortuary and funeral director, passed away Friday, May 27, 2011. The Rosary will be at 6:00 p.m., Tuesday, May 31 with the Funeral Mass at 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, June 1, both at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church. The youngest of five children born to Charles and Marie Lahey, Tom attended Blessed Sacrament grade school and graduated from Cathedral High School in 1942. He began college at Creighton University but his ROTC unit was called up and he entered the U.S. Army Air Corps at the age of 18. He served for the remainder of the war, eventually working in the headquarters of the 13th Air Force on numerous islands in the South Pacific, including New Guinea, Morotai, and the Philippines. After the war, he attended Wichita University and then returned to Creighton, graduating with a degree in Business. It was in Omaha that he met his future bride Nan Gleeson. After returning to Wichita, Tom joined the family business, the Lahey Mortuary, which was founded by his father Charles in 1913. Tom continued in the business until his retirement in 2000. Tom and Nan recently celebrated their 58th wedding anniversary. They were devoted to each other and to their family. Tom will always be remembered by his family for his constant kindness, compassion, wisdom, and sense of humor. Preceded in death by siblings, Mary Alice Dondlinger, Helen Fulton and Charles Lahey. Survivors: wife, Nan (Gleeson) Lahey; sister, Dorothy Brown of Nederland, CO; children, Mary Ellen Lahey, Thomas F. Lahey Jr. (Karen), Theresa A. House (Chris), Timothy G. Lahey (Laurette), Michael X. Lahey, all of Wichita and Kathy McRoberts (Mike) of Herndon, VA; grandchildren, Whitney Lahey, Thomas Lahey, Maureen Lahey, Caitlin Lahey, Patrick Lahey, Kelsey Lahey, Ryan Lahey, Daniel House, Kelly House, Charlie McRoberts, Meagan McRoberts and Bridgette McRoberts. Memorials have been established with The Lords Diner, 520 N. Broadway, Wichita, KS, 67214 and St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, 1321 Stratford, Wichita, KS, 67206. Downing Lahey Mortuary East.
The Rosary will be at 6:00 p.m., Tuesday, May 31 at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church.
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Please accept our deepest condolences for your family’s loss.
Tom was such an extraordinary example of how life and death should be faced. He was the first person to take a holy hour when Eucharistic Adoration started at St. Thomas Aquinas fourteen years ago and he chose Wednesday at 3:00 am. He faithfully kept that hour until his recent illness prevented him from doing so. It was so fitting that his casket remained in the church throughout the night, which also included his Wednesday 3:00 am holy hour. Our prayers are with Nan and the Lahey family.
Mr. Lahey will be greatly missed He has given much to our community and his family continues to do so. May God bless and console the Lahey family for their loss.
Dear Uncle Tom, I will never forget you. I love you. Thanks for being with us on this earth and sharing your love, your laughter and kindness. Your Grand Niece, Malian
I was so saddened to hear of the loss Tom. I only had the pleasure of meeting him once, but I found him to be a gracious and generous soul in all of my correspndence with him over these past few years. I will be thinking of all of you this difficult week.
Mike, Chris and I were so sorry to hear of your sad news. We send a huge hug your way from Oxford. With hopes for a healing time for you and your family, Elizabeth
Nan and family- Jed emailed to tell us of the sad news of Tom’s death. We are so sorry for your loss and feel so bad to be so far away and unable to be with you in this time of loss. Know our most heartfelt thoughts are with you all. Love, Tom and Gaylene Edgar
I am so sorry for your great loss. You are in my heart and prayers.
I played tennis with Theresa Lahey over one or two summers back in the early 1970s. We even played mixed doubles together in a few tournaments. I was impressed with her, enough so that I’ve wondered over the years what became of her and how she was doing. I was saddened to hear about her father’s passing. No matter how much one thinks about it and prepares for it, the reality of losing a parent is different from what one expected, bores a deeper hole than one imagined, and markedly redefines one’s world. Words are feeble at such a time. Yet, all any of us can do is offer our condolences, to Theresa, her family, and all of Mr. Lahey’s family and loved ones. My heart goes out to all who share in this loss.