Thomas Church Ahearn, 80, of Fort Myers, FL and Marshfield, MA peacefully passed away while surrounded by family on June 6, 2023. He was the beloved husband of Ruth (Allen) Ahearn; loving father of John F. Ahearn of Los Angeles CA and Mary Jean Ahearn Rotondo of Marshfield; cherished grandfather of Evelyn Church Ahearn and Jack Francis Ahearn and Michael Robert Rotondo, Joseph Thomas Rotondo and Robert Francesco Rotondo; dear brother of Edward "Ned" Ahearn and his wife Linda of Austin, TX; brother of the late Jean (Ahearn) Tobin. Son of the late John F. Ahearn and Clara (Church) Robinson, he also leaves several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Tom grew up along the banks of the South River in Marshfield having the time of his life on the beach and on the boat, forging many friendships that he always treasured.

He played basketball and baseball for the MHS Rams, sang in the Marshalairs choir, served as Class Marshal, was voted "Friendliest" in the Class of 1961, and enthusiastically organized many reunions with his wife, Ruth.

Tom served our country in the United States Air Force working on B-52 engines at Seymour Johnson AFB in North Carolina and for the rest of his proud life held his baseball cap high in the air at the finale of every national anthem as his way to say thank you to this great nation he loved.

After graduating with a degree in Electrical Engineering from Wentworth Institute of Technology in 1970, Tom went on to enjoy a rewarding career as an engineer at WRKO, WBZ (Radio and TV), and Fox25 until retirement in 2008.

He worked alongside DJ's Dale Dorman, Dave Maynard, Gary LaPierre and the beloved late night talk show host Larry Glick. He also worked the master control in the newsroom alongside the truly groundbreaking WBZ- TV team of Liz Walker, Jack Williams, Bob Lobel, Bruce Schwoegler and Joyce Kulhawik.

His most treasured career experience may have been with WBZ Radio broadcasting Boston sports: the Boston Celtics with play-by-play legend Johnny Most and Rick Weitzman and the New England Patriots' HOF duo Gil Santos and Gino Cappelletti. He and Gil also covered the Boston Marathon each year from the finish line in the 'BZ "van" which you may have seen him driving to the Marshfield Fair.

On Barouche Drive, Tom may have taught you how to swim or cleared a snow path so you could safely walk to the bus stop. You may have asked him for help with a home project or just needed to borrow one of his many tools. You also may have thrown horseshoes with him after he steamed up a full barrel of lobsters, clams and corn on the cob while he blasted Buddy Holly in the backyard.

Coaching soccer was a real passion for Tom. In 1978, he watched his son play and immediately fell in love with the game. It was a new sport for him and most people here. He volunteered as an assistant coach and went to the old Ventress Library and took out 4 books on the rules and strategy of the game. He was hooked. The lifelong friendships formed on the 18-yard line resonate to this day. As one of his former players recently said, he always "routed for me…was the perfect balance of fun, tough, caring and genuine." He served as President of Marshfield Youth Soccer for many years and was eventually nominated as Marshfield Citizen of the Year for his dedication to the sport. He would later go on to coach at Notre Dame Academy in Hingham where they competed at the state level.

In retirement, he worked at "Fenway South" JetBlue Park as an usher behind the Red Sox dugout for 15 fun-filled Spring Training years. Every game during the 7th inning stretch, he led his section in singing "Take Me Out To The Ballgame" then solo serenaded the Red Sox faithful in the 8th with "Sweet Caroline." He loved the Red Sox, the fans and seeing so many of his friends from up north.

If you met his friends on Capbern Court in Fort Myers, they would tell you about Tom - their handy man who did free work for most everyone.

Tom was blessed with a family he loved and who loved him. He and his wife, Ruth, of 53 years had a wonderful family: their children John & Mary Jean and their five grandchildren - Evelyn & Jack Ahearn and Mike, Joe & Bobby Rotondo. He was never happier than when he was with his grandchildren. He was loved by his sister Jean, his brother Ned and his truly wonderful folks, John & Clara. And a second family, the Rays, were like another set of parents and brothers for Tom.

Tom was a caring and enthusiastic person, who loved doing things for others. Somewhere up above is a workbench with lots of well-worn tools and Tom is ready to do odd jobs in a place where there are endless friends.

Visiting hours will be held on Sunday, June 11, 2023 from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. at the MacDonald Funeral Home, 1755 Ocean Street in Marshfield. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Monday, June 12 at 10:30 a.m. in St. Theresa's Chapel, Dwight Road in Humarock, followed by interment in the Marshfield Hills Cemetery. For driving directions to the Chapel, please use this link: St. Theresa's Chapel

In lieu of flowers, donations in Tom's memory can be made to the Thomas C. Ahearn Scholarship Fund, care of the Marshfield Elks Lodge #2494, by mail to 1321 Ocean Street Marshfield, MA 02050.

*** For the wake and funeral, please feel free to wear your favorite Boston Red Sox gear (caps/T-shirts/uniform jerseys/jackets/earrings etc) to liven up the celebration of a wonderful life for this lifelong, diehard Sox fan and the closest thing we ever had to a real-life George Bailey.

For online guestbook, driving directions and other helpful information please visit the website mcdonaldfuneralhome.com