Thomas Michael McCarty

Thomas Michael McCarty passed away on July 27, 2021, on a beautiful summer day in his Seattle home. Preceded in death by his beloved wife of 43 years, Betty Jean McCarty, and by his eldest son, Corey Allen McCarty.

Thomas Michael McCarty married his second love, Sara, in 2008, bringing to the McCarty family Sara’s lovely daughter, Callie. Sara and Tom spent thirteen loving years together.

Tom is survived by his children Sean, Michelle, Shannon, Cheri, Lori; step-daughter, Callie; and eight grandchildren. He was soon to be a great-grandfather.

Tom was born on May 10, 1944, in Rutherford New Jersey, to William Joseph McCarty and Grace Lenora Brisban. He was the oldest son of the six siblings who took Sussex County by storm, “The McCarty Gang”. He attended and graduated from Sussex High School, New Jersey, class of 1962. Thomas furthered his education at Waterbury State Technical Institute in Waterbury Connecticut achieving his Associates in Applied Science Electrical Engineering Technology in 1966, making the Dean’s list with honors. Still not satisfied with his education, Tom attended Monmouth College in West Long Branch, New Jersey. He graduated on June 3, 1972, receiving his Bachelor of Science Degree.

A good family friend suggested that Tom apply to the Boeing Company in Seattle, and it was March 1973 when Tom packed his wife, four kids and their dog Fang (a very large Newfoundland) into their Chevy van and drove out of Lakewood, New Jersey, to start a new life in Seattle, Washington.

Tom had his dream job at Boeing and was going to make more money than he ever had in his life ($12,000 per year). He was really excited and everything was looking up.

Tom worked in the AWACS program in Building 225 at Plant 2 on March 27, 1973. On his first or second day, his lead engineer told him Boeing had a union for engineers, and that he should join. Tom signed up for the SPEEA union.

Labor unions had never been a strong influence on Tom in his early years. Over his years at Boeing that changed. It all started out on the one-day strike (Jan. 19, 1993) and that’s when Tom got more aware of what was going on in the workplace. Tom wanted to get more involved. When the Council Rep position in his district (K-1) became vacant, Tom was first to apply. Nobody else did, so he was seated.

He became active on a number of Council committees. Tom soon became known for his thoughtful and insightful comments. The deep tone and steady cadence of his voice told his listeners that experience was talking. At one end of his comments, sometimes before and sometimes after, Tom’s voice quickened as he delivered a whimsical gem to grab your attention or drive his point home. “You’ve got to grab peoples’ attention,” he said. “If you don’t, they’ll fall asleep.” As Council Representative for District K-1 in 1999, Tom ran for a spot on the Professional Negotiation Team. He was elected second alternate.

During the strike, burn barrels where set up outside SPEEA headquarters. Tom heard that the Environmental Protection Agency received a complaint about the open burn barrels on the picket line. A few people worried the complaint could end the strike. Former Council Chair Pat Waters remembers the day: “That could have been a catastrophe because it was the middle of winter, really cold, wet and windy on the picket lines,” Waters said. “Imagine my surprise when I found out a few days later Tom not only redesigned the burn barrels to meet EPA requirements, but was manufacturing them at a tremendous rate!” McCarty delivered burn barrels and visited every picket site in the Puget Sound region during the forty days of the strike.

Tom went on to serve on the Professional Unit Negotiation Team in the next four contract talks with Boeing. He was elected SPEEA Treasurer in 2002 and President in 2010. He also served as an IFPTE Vice President. Tom officially retired from Boeing with 41 years of service.

Tom had many loves and passions in his life – family, friends, and music being the biggest part of them. He loved to travel and had a great sense of humor. Two of his most professional and personal accomplishments were his blues’ buddy guitar amps and his self-published book, “The Picket Line”.

A private graveside family service will be held on August 14, 2021. Tom will be laid to rest at Greenwood Memorial Park.

A McCarty memorial service/picnic will be held at a later date to celebrate Tom’s life.