Thomas McNaney

Thomas William McNaney, 89, passed away peacefully at his home in John Knox Village. Tom was surrounded by his loving wife, Judy, and his four daughters, Heidi, Gretel, Piper and Mathy who he referred to as his Gems.

Tom was born in 1933 to Thomas and Evelyn McNaney in Walton, New York growing up a proud Irish Catholic.

He attended Utica Academy, where he met and fell in love with Judy Hagues. At the Academy he earned his Eagle Scout badge.

After high school Tom joined the Air Force and was sent to Keesler AFB in Biloxi, Mississippi, where he and Judy were married. From Biloxi he went to Chanute AFB in Rantoul, Illinois. For four years he was an airman by day and by night and weekends he had multiple part time jobs. There was the laundromat, the drug store, bartending at Champaign Country Club, and his own lawn service. Tom always hoped hard work meant more opportunities and a better life for his family.

Tom completed his four year tour of duty in the Air Force and enrolled in the University of Illinois on the GI Bill. After two years of school, Tom started his civil service career with the Air Force at Chanute AFB and shortly thereafter transferred to the Naval Training Device Center in Orlando, Florida in simulation and training at an entry level position. He returned to college nights graduating with a BA in Math from Rollins College. The next year he was awarded a sabbatical and earned an MA in Computer Science from UCF (FTU) and later earned an Ed. S from UCF.

Tom moved up the career ladder first as a Branch Head then Division Head, and on to Department Head. Tom headed up the prestigious TAEG, a training evaluation group, establishing the newest technology in simulation. The Naval Training Device Center moved to UCF’s Research Park teaming with students and establishing state of the art technology for training and simulation. After 46 years Tom retired from the Naval Air Warfare Center, Training Systems Division as COO of the organization.

Following his retirement from Civil Service Tom worked in the private sector as Vice President for Dual Inc. focusing on artificial intelligence for training and simulation systems.

Tom continued mentoring and teaching at UCF and Seminole State College.

Tom was an avid golfer. He and Judy were ballroom dancers. Tom and Judy traveled the world.

Tom was genuinely charismatic and enjoyed having an engaging conversation with everyone. He was kind, caring and a humble person. He loved spending time with his family. He participated in his daughters sporting and music events throughout the years. And later his grandchildren’s making sure they knew of his love, support and dedication in achieving their highest potential. Tom hosted the grandchildren from birth to college and their parents at The Disney Vacation Club, Disney World over each Thanksgiving vacation. The family Christmas was always at his home.

Tom lived a long and amazing life. His heart lives on through his wife, daughters, grandchildren, family, friends, and those who worked with him.

He is survived by his devoted wife of 69 years, Judy; his four daughters, Heidi, MD (Bill) Flint, of Jensen Beach, FL; Gretel McNaney of DeLand, FL; Piper (Tom) Brien of Wallingford, CT; Mathy (Tim) Hogan of Cocoa Beach, FL. Six grandchildren, Meagan Flint of Boston, MA; Madison Flint of Gainesville, FL; Hannah (Christopher) Reichart of Jacksonville, FL; Benjamin

Hogan of Salt Lake City, UT; Maggie Brien of FT. Worth, TX; Liam Brien of Wallingford, CT. Two great-grandchildren Christopher and Henry Reichart. Tom is also survived by his siblings Carolyn Dellwo, Barbara (Carl) Thurnau, Richard (Pauline) McNaney. He was predeceased by a brother Donald McNaney. Also, sister-in-law Linda Crumb, brothers-in-law Stanley (Lynn) Hagues, Walter (Shari) Hagues, and many nieces nephews and their families.