Thomas Helgeland, a long-time resident of New Bedford, died Thursday the 24th of May at Sacred Heart Home. Born on August 11th, 1929 in Brooklyn, New York, Thomas was the son of Oscar & Pauline Helgeland. He was married to Aud Karin ‘Kina’ Helgeland for nearly 60 years and they raised their family on Coggeshall Street. A man of strong faith, he was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church and previously of Elim Baptist Church where he was a deacon.
Tom moved to New Bedford in 1938. He served his country in the United States Navy from 1951 to 1955 and was honorably discharged with the rank of chief petty officer. He worked for several years as a commercial fisherman as his father had before him fishing on boats that included The Pearl Harbor and The Edgartown. A back injury ended that career at which point Thomas returned to school, graduating from SMU in 1971 with a degree in Mathematics. He began a second career as a social worker, first in the Fairhaven Welfare office and then as a supervisor at the Long Term Care unit in Taunton. Over the course of nineteen years he found his calling helping families and seniors.
Tom pursued many hobbies over the years including tropical fish, model ship building and playing the violin and piano. His greatest passion was singing. He loved opera, performing in several amateur productions. An accomplished vocalist and vocal teacher, Tom sang at local weddings and often for the New Bedford Seamen’s Bethel at maritime functions. He was a member of the Port Society. His singing career culminated when he sang the National Anthem in the 2015 film ‘42’, the story of Jackie Robinson.
Tom’s illness was brief and his death follows that of his beloved wife earlier this year. He was loved and is survived by his children Katherine Vezina and her husband George, Brian Helgeland and his wife Nancy, and Karen Davis and her husband Paul; also by his grandchildren Ian and Martin
Helgeland, Spencer and Emma Vezina, and Sean and Erik Davis all of whom brought him great pride and joy. He also is survived by his sister Eleanor Brown of Florence, MA. He is predeceased by his sister Odda and brothers Leif Martin, Christian and Walter. He also leaves his good friend Emile Fournier and his brother-in-law, Oivind Ulland.
His Memorial Service will be held on Thursday, May 31th, 2018 at 11AM in Trinity Lutheran Church, 16 Temple Pl., Fairhaven. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to Trinity Lutheran Church, 16 Temple Pl., Fairhaven, MA 02719. The family would like to extend their gratitude to Sacred Heart Home for the loving care of their parents. For online tributes please visit: www.waring-sullivan.com.
