Thomas Henry Mealey Jr.

Captain Thomas Henry Mealey, Jr. 75, of Alta Loma died Wednesday at home surrounded by his family. Born in Boston, Massachusetts, he was a 1957 graduate of Boston Latin School in Boston, Massachusetts and a 1961 graduate of Dartmouth College in Hanover, New Hampshire.

Thomas served in the United States Navy from 1961 to 1991. He was part of the Cuban Blockade and served two deployments to Vietnam. He continued his service by being a member of the Navy Reserves. He received many service medals and commedations throughout his military career; Meritorious Service Medal, U.S. Naval Reserve Medal, National Defense Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Republic of Vietnam Service Medals, Armed Forces Reserved Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, and a Meritorious Unit Citation. After his active military service, he worked as a salesman for Dun & Bradstreet from 1971 and retired in 1995.

He was an active member of the community and really found his calling later in life. He was a volunteer for the Etiwanda School district before becoming a substitute teacher in the district for over 20 years. The children fondly remember him reading stories on Dr. Seuss’s birthday and as their favorite grown-up leprechaun. Not only was he involved with the elementary schools, but he was one of the “original” veterans along with the social studies teachers at Rancho Cucamonga High School to create Rancho Remembers, a yearly event to honor veterans and have them share their stories with the students. He recruited everyone he could even during the Veteran’s Day Assembly to attend this amazing event that has grown to over 100+ veterans.

Thomas was married to Gail, his wife of 14 years and they had three daughters, Valerie, Maureen, and Michelle. They raised their children in Diamond Bar, California. They were later divorced and Tom remarried Patricia, and became stepfather to Kimberly and Rob. They moved to Alta Loma and he remained there until his death.

In his 75 years of life, Thomas touched so many people. He not only left an impression on his children and grandchildren, but also thousands of students, his co-workers, friends, and extended family members. He lived life to the fullest and will be greatly missed.

Thomas was preceded in death by his wife of 27 years, Patricia in 2004. Survivors include his daughters Valerie (Aurelio) Rodriguez of Wildomar, Maureen (Mark) Williams of Newport Beach, Michelle (Manny) Rubio of Alta Loma, step-daughter Kimberly (John) Holman of Alta Loma, step-son Robert (Anne) Elwell Jr. of Alta Loma, and ten grandchildren.

A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, March 12, at 1 pm, at Etiwanda Gardens, 7576 Etiwanda Ave, Rancho Cucamonga, CA with a reception immediately following the service. The internment will be held on Monday, March 14, at 11:30 am, at Riverside National Cemetery, 22495 Van Buren Blvd, Riverside, CA with a reception to follow.

In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests donations made out to Rancho Remembers, a non-profit organization at Rancho Cucamonga High School. Please make your checks payable to “Rancho Remembers” and send to RCHS, 11801 Lark Drive, Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91701.

Arrangements under the direction of Draper Mortuary, Ontario, CA.