Thomas Daniel (Sr.) Leary

Thomas D. Leary, Sr., 90, formerly of Somers, CT, Siasconset MA and Vero Beach Florida, passed away peacefully at home in East Longmeadow on January 13, 2022, surrounded by loved ones.  Tom was born in Marlborough, MA on April 18, 1931, the son of the late Arthur J. Leary, Sr. and Nora C. (Lynch) Leary.  The family moved to Longmeadow soon after. Tom attended Converse Street Elementary School and Cathedral High School (class of 1948), where he met the love of his life, Marie Hussey. She made him weak in the knees, he said.

At Cathedral, Tom was a lineman for four years under the legendary football coach Billy Wise, earning the title of Team Captain. In the days of leather helmets and no face masks, Tom endured five nose fractures and a separated shoulder. His mother said if he wanted to play football in college, he could pay for it himself.  A few pick-up games of basketball against Bob Cousy at Holy Cross were the closest to organized sports Tom experienced during college. He graduated from Holy Cross in 1952 with a BS Degree in Business Studies.

Soon afterward Tom and Marie were married. A year later their son Tucker was born, his father far away. Tom had been assigned to Army basic training at Camp Polk Louisiana, preparing for possible deployment to Korea. As it turned out, Tom was assigned to U.S. Occupational Forces in Austria, where he served as a member of the Military Police and earned an Army of Occupation Medal. Marie and their infant son Tucker joined him in Salzburg, where they spent one of the most memorable years of their lives together. Tom was honorably discharged in 1954 and received a National Defense Service Medal.

Back in Springfield, Tom and Marie settled into a little apartment on Sumner Terrace, moving to Wayside Street and later Ridgeway Circle, raising three of their four children, Tucker and then Kevin and Katherine, who all attended Holy Cross Grammar School (and eventually Holy Cross College.) In those days, the children would walk home from school for lunch! Marie was always there waiting for them, a loving, devoted mother. Tom was building a career in the home furnishings business, having joined the family firm Hayden Wayside Furniture in Enfield, CT. He did everything he could to grow the company: painting and changing light bulbs in the showroom, seeking the best American-made furnishings, trying to display items optimally, running newspaper ads to attract a loyal customer base, which he succeeded in doing over the next four decades.   

Tom eventually became President of Hayden Wayside and was blessed with a devoted staff who shared his belief in the quality of the products they offered and the importance of serving their many loyal customers. Through the decades Tom would travel to High Point, NC to attend the Furniture Market, where manufacturers would introduce their latest products each April and October. He became an innovator and mentor to many and was admired by trade representatives, factory owners and industry leaders for his perspective and wisdom. He was named New England Retailer of the Year by the National Home Furnishings Association, among numerous accolades. In the 1980s Tom developed the American Interiors concept, a mark of quality and reliability in an evolving home furnishings industry.

During his career at the helm of Hayden’s, Tom devoted significant time and energy to support local organizations: Enfield Rotary Club and Chamber of Commerce, Springfield YMCA, Big Brother Big Sisters, Brightside and Mercy Hospital, where he served decades on the Board of Trustees. In addition to the Sisters of Providence, Tom was an advocate of the Sisters of St. Joseph, who selflessly devoted their lives to educating children and serving others. He served in leadership roles in Holy Cross Parish and supported several Bishops of Springfield. He was recognized by many for his generosity, enthusiasm, work ethic and wisdom.

While Tom spent a majority of his time working and volunteering, he did spend quality time with Marie and the children, who numbered four after the arrival of Beth, enjoying summers at Groton Long Point and sailing to destinations near and far aboard their beloved Memoir. Eventually they discovered Nantucket, which would play an important role in the years to follow. After visiting dear friends Ann and Don Ryan in ‘Sconset, Tom and Marie purchased The Anchorage and enjoyed the island’s natural beauty and decades of hosting family and friends.

Not content to sit on the beach, Tom found ways to support and contribute to the local community.  He certainly enjoyed playing tennis on the red clay courts of the ‘Sconset Casino, where he served as a Board member, and eventually playing golf on the challenging links at Sankaty Head. But there was always something more to do, more energy to devote to a worthy cause. Tom was instrumental in the early formation of the ‘Sconset Trust, which encouraged local property owners to donate their land, etc. to keep open spaces “forever wild” and is going strong to this day in preservation and conservation efforts.  

After forty-five years at the helm of Hayden Wayside, Tom retired and sold the property to his colleagues the Audi family, who opened a Stickley store on the site in 2000. From then on, Tom and Marie enjoyed many years together between their homes in ‘Sconset and Vero Beach Florida, looking forward to visits from friends, children and grandchildren and an occasional ride around Spinnaker Point on Tom’s jaunty little launch boat. He served on the Board of the Moorings Yacht Club.

Tom is survived by his loving wife of nearly seventy years, Marie (Hussey) Leary of East Longmeadow, MA, sons Tucker (Thomas D. Leary, Jr.) and his wife Catherine of Groton CT, and Kevin Leary of Kinsale, Ireland; daughters Katherine Leary of South Dartmouth, MA, and Beth Leary Gross and her husband Joel Gross of Walpole, MA; his sister Margaret H. Leary of Somers, CT, and six beloved grandchildren, Daniel Leary of Middletown, CT, Mary Gray Kallmann and her husband Andrew Kallmann, of New Canaan, CT, Tyler Robinson of New York City, Katherine Gross of Austin, Texas, Thomas and Kevin Gross of Walpole, MA, and two beautiful great-grandchildren, James and Charlotte Kallmann of New Canaan, CT.

Tom was predeceased by his brother, Arthur J. Leary, Jr. and sister, Mary Leary Graham.

A private burial service was held at St. Michael’s Cemetery in Springfield. A celebration of Tom’s life will be held at a later date. Donations in Tom’s name may be directed to The Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield, 577 Carew Street, Springfield, MA 01104 or ssjspringfield.org. For additional information, please visit www.byronkeenan.com