Thomas Patrick (“Tom”) Harkins passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on November 3rd, 2018. Tom was born on September 21st, 1931 in Brooklyn, NY to the late Martin Harkins and Agnes Griffin Harkins. Tom tragically lost his father Martin as a young child and his mother Agnes remarried John (“Jack”) P. Sullivan. Agnes and Jack lovingly raised Tom and his sister Mary (“Maureen”) Harkins. Soon afterwards Agnes and Jack added to the family with Tom’s sister Dorothy (“Dolly”) Sullivan and brother John (“Lefty”) Sullivan Jr.
Tom grew up in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn and attended St. Michael’s grammar school and Manual High School. He was an avid Brooklyn Dodger fan and “the best stickball player in Brooklyn”. Tom spent countless hours up in Sunset Park honing his baseball skills with the hopes of one day playing in the Big Leagues.
The Korean War ended those dreams and Tom enlisted in the United States Marine Corp in 1951 serving his country proudly and courageously with active combat duty in Korea.
After completing his military service Tom enrolled in St. John University under the G.I. Bill and graduated with a B.B.A. in 1957. While in school he started his career at Chase Manhattan Bank in 1955 and worked there for his entire 33 year career until his retirement as an Executive Vice President in 1988.
Not long after returning from the war, Tom met the love of his life Patricia (“Pat”) Howard at a Sons of Italy Hall Dance in Brooklyn. Tom and Pat married in 1958 and moved to Deer Park Long Island where they made lifelong friendships and started a family with sons Thomas and John and daughter Maureen. As a man of tremendous faith, Tom joined the St. Cyril and Methodius Roman Catholic Church community in Deer Park.
Tom tragically lost his wife Pat in 1967. His amazing strength and resolve, along with the unwavering support of his extended family, ensured that his children grew up in a happy and loving family. The linchpin was his mother Agnes (“Gaga” to the grandkids) and his sister Maureen, who selflessly made the life changing decision to sacrifice everything to raise Tom’s children. Tom is forever grateful for the sacrifice of his sister Maureen and loved her more than anything.
The incredible dedication and support he received from his friends in his Deer Park neighborhood and those at Chase Bank during this time is a testament to his character and something for which he was eternally grateful.
In Tom’s retirement years he and his sister Maureen moved to Avon, Connecticut to be close to his daughter Maureen, her husband Mike, and the grandkids Patricia and Brendan. Soon afterwards Tom was blessed with a third grandchild Sophia who is the daughter of his son John and his wife Nancy. Tom also missed the city and took every chance he had to come visit his first son Tom across the river in Hoboken N.J.
The last 20+ years of Tom’s very rich and full life were 100% dedicated to his grandkids as he never missed a game, concert, or dance recital. He was so proud of his kids and grandkids and lived every moment for them.
Tom is survived by his sisters Maureen Harkins of Avon, CT, Dorothy Palma and her husband Ralph Palma of North Granby, CT, his brother John Sullivan of Middle Island, NY, his sons Thomas Harkins of Hoboken, NJ and John Harkins and his wife Nancy Harkins of Wyckoff, NJ, his daughter Maureen Masi and her husband Michael Masi of Hebron, CT, and his grandchildren Patricia Masi, Brendan Masi, and Sophia Harkins.
Tom’s family would like to thank the incredible 2-South staff at the Hebrew Center for Health and Rehabilitation in West Hartford, CT. Their loving care and compassion was a great comfort to the entire family during this difficult time.
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