Born to the late Paul (Mike) and Florence (Whitall) Derosier on September 28, 1941 in Springfield, Massachusetts. Tom graduated from Monson Academy in Wilbraham, MA in 1959. He received a Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry from St. Michael’s College in 1963 before graduating with his Doctor of Dental Surgery Degree from the Georgetown University School of Dentistry in 1967. After graduation, Tom served as a Captain in the United States Army in Fort Rucker, Alabama where he served as a Preventative Dentistry Officer in the Vietnam War. After returning to Massachusetts, Tom and his colleague, Patrick Curtin, founded Salem & Lynn Dental Associates. In 1990, he permanently relocated to Cape Cod and established Falmouth Dental Associates. Tom’s dedication, respect, and compassion toward his patients and his employees was beyond compare. Never one to slow down, Tom continued to work right until his passing.
After serving in the Army, Tom and his first wife, Margaret (Flanagan), settled in Marblehead, MA where they raised their four children: Jerard, Mara, John and Ned. Tom was always up to something, either starting a new project or hobby, helping neighborhood kids fix bikes, coaching his children in local youth soccer or helping anyone in need. He was a lifelong long learner and teacher.
Tom began dating Debbie (Lewis) in 1994 and they married in September 2007. They shared 28 beautiful, adventure-filled years together which included LONG road trips, endless dog walks, lots of laughter and so many wonderful times with family and friends.
Known first and foremost for his kindness and quiet generosity, and affectionately for his show-stopping eyebrows, handsome smile and youthful spirit, Tom was truly the best of the best. Lovingly known as "Mr. Fix-it", Tom was an expert in home improvement projects, a passion he shared with his children. Strong as an ox and determined in all he did, there was nothing Tom wouldn’t do, or at least try. Tom enjoyed time at his spot in Pine Island, Florida where he spent his days fishing, exploring the gulf coast, hauling crab pots and passing time with long-time friends. In recent years, he discovered a passion for sourdough bread making and gardening. Tom cherished and looked forward to spending time with his grandchildren, fishing excursions with his Cape Cod and Pine Island friends and his weekend breakfast club. He loved his collection of birdhouses, a honkin’ bowl of ice cream, cooking and sharing his delicious smoked BBQ, Sudoku puzzles, a “good Pearl hot dog,” the hottest hot sauce and afternoon naps in his hammock. Tom will forever be remembered as “one hell of a good guy.”
Tom spent much of his free time helping other professionals by serving as Chair on the Committee on Drug and Alcohol Dependency (C-DAD) and was a member of the Doctors Well-Being Advisory Committee. He, himself, was a friend of Bill W. He also served on committees such as the Access to Care Committee, which was dedicated to the dental care of Medicaid recipients. Tom maintained memberships with the American Dental Association, Massachusetts Dental Society, and was a lifetime member of the Pierre Fauchard Academy. For many years, Tom was also involved with Cape CARES, a non-profit, non-partisan organization that provides medical relief to the people of Honduras, making multiple trips per year (this is what he called vacation). His children were fortunate enough to share this experience with him.
Tom is survived by his wife, Deborah, his four children: Jerard and his wife Carolee Simmons of Thornton, NH; Mara Derosier of Kittery, ME; John and Kelly Derosier of Wheat Ridge, Colorado; Ned Derosier and Kelley Christian of Asheville, NC; his three stepchildren: Kristina and Michael Davidson of Lynn, MA; Jeffrey Lewis of Glen, NH; and Stephen and Jillian Lewis of Marblehead, MA, his eight grandchildren: Nat, Lily, Owen, Jorja, Willem, Everett, Kiley and Harper; his brother and sister-in-law John and Maureen Derosier of Longmeadow, MA and several beloved nieces and nephews.
A celebration of life will be held in late September. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be sent to the ASPCA at www.aspca.org/ or Cape CARES at https://www.capecares.org/
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