LYNN - Thomas Henry Cantrell, 71, of Clearwater, formerly of Lynn, passed away on Tuesday, January 15, 2019 in Florida. Tom was the beloved husband of the late Kathleen (Saindon, Sewell) Cantrell with whom he shared 27 wonderful years of marriage.
Born and raised in East Ridge, Tennessee, he was the son of the late Thomas E. and Ethleen (Agnew) Cantrell.
Tom was first known as ‘Pop’ by just his grandchildren – but at some point, he just started introducing himself that way to everybody, often rendering him grandfather-for-a-day to many friends and acquaintances. He was also notorious for his sense of humor – folks, take our word for it, there wasn’t a flatulence joke he didn’t find hysterical. He was a proud Southerner and wore out many copies of 1993’s Gettysburg – but he loved being a New Englander just as much. In his day, he was an exceptional baseball player, earning a spot on the roster at East Tennessee State University and the Navy traveling team, and later became an avid fisherman. Other than his late wife, his great love in life was the United States Navy, where he spent 23 years and retired as a Chief Petty Officer. There were few corners of the globe he hadn’t seen and no shortage of stories of his time with the Tin Can Sailors. More than anything, though, he was a good and decent man who loved and watched over his family and passed on the lesson that life is best served in the company of those you love and with plenty of laughter. He’ll be sorely missed.
He was the loving father of Joseph Cantrell and his wife, Esther Nigron-Cantrell of San Diego, CA, Deanna Sonia of Lynn, Christopher Sewell and his wife, Odessa Sewell of Pennsylvania, Shannon Sewell of South Carolina, and Robert Sewell of Lynn; the dear brother of Martha Monds and her husband, Kenneth of Ooltewah, TN; cherished grandfather of 16 grandchildren; great-grandfather of 5 great-grandchildren; and the uncle of several nieces and nephews.
Thomas’ funeral service and burial are private and are under the care of the Cuffe-McGinn Funeral Home, 157 Maple St., Lynn, MA. In lieu of flowers, donations in Thomas’ memory may be made to the American Cancer Society, 30 Speen St., Framingham, MA 01701 or via www.cancer.org. or Wounded Warrior Project, 4899 Belfort Road, Suite 300 Jacksonville, FL 32256 or via www.woundedwarriorproject.org. To share a memory or leave online condolences, please visit www.cuffmcginn.com.
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