Thomas Trevor "Tom" McNeely

A native of Belfast, Ireland, he was “The Quiet Man” and much beloved. He immigrated to the USA in 1950, venturing across the nation to Washington State. Tom enlisted in the Air Force to serve in the Korean War and earned US citizenship. After graduation from the Texas Christian University, he began a 30-year career as an employee of the Office Civilian Personnel Management Department of the US Army. He was stationed across the country and his last assignment was in Atlanta for 25 years. He attended the Woodrow Wilson School of Law in the 1980’s and practiced law ten years for “something to do.” He and his wife moved to Athens in 2003.

Tom was a member of the Masons for 25 years. He enjoyed many years of coaching youth soccer in Atlanta and volunteered at Reading for the Blind, now known as Learning Ally in Athens. Tom enjoyed exercising at St. Mary’s Wellness Center and his coffee group afterwards. He was a member of St. Bartholomew Episcopal Church in Atlanta and Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Athens. He was known as a gentleman and asked to be remembered as “a good man.”

Survivors include his wife, Bette; his daughter, Elizabeth and husband, John Wise, of Portland, Maine; his son, Drew, and wife, Jane McNeely, of Cape Elizabeth, Maine; his sister, Nancy Gilmore and niece and nephews, of Cardiff, Wales; and cousins, Rodney and Sally McNeely of Toronto, Canada.

A Celebration of Tom’s life will be held at Emmanuel Episcopal Church on Friday, March 17, 2017 at 11 a.m. A St. Patrick’s Day party will take place in the church Common Room following the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Learning Ally, the Food Bank of Northeast Georgia or a charity of your choice.

Online condolences may be offered at www.bernsteinfuneralhome.com.

Bernstein Funeral Home and Cremation Service is in charge of arrangements.