On November 19, 2023 "The Captain" Thomas Francis King, 88 of Scituate, passed away unexpectedly at South Shore Hospital, Weymouth. Tom was born on June 20, 1935 in Boston the only child to Cecelia J. Whalen and Michael H. King. He grew up in the Savin Hill section before moving to North Quincy and eventually settling in Scituate.
He attended Boston College High School before moving in his senior year to North Quincy where he graduated in 1953. It was there where he met his beloved wife of 68 years Marion Drake. Tom and Marion settled in Quincy where they raised their three children. Today Tom is survived by his wife Marion, daughter Dianne Piscatelli and her husband Robert, son Michael, and his son Robert and his wife Paula. He is also survived by four grandchildren Michael Jr., Melany, Matthew, and Molly.
Tom proudly served in the U.S. Army as a surveyor based out of Fort Rucker in Alabama before heading off to Korea. Once discharged from the army and in between fishing trips Tom attended Northeastern University and became a civil engineer for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Upon retiring from the DPW Tom was finally able to give his full attention to fishing as work was no longer an obstacle. To say that Tom was obsessed with fishing would be an understatement. After losing his father at a very young age his mother signed him up as a junior member of the Savin Hill Yacht Club where a young Tommy befriended Jack Allen who became a mentor and taught him everything about safety, boating, and fishing in Boston Harbor. Tom remained a member of the Savin Hill Yacht Club becoming the Commodore for 8 years and eventually a lifetime member.
Tom was a fishing charter boat captain, lecturer, author of many fishing articles, and a local expert on all things fishing. He was also a member in the New England Scuba Divers Organization, North East Bass Association, the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy, and the Northeast Charter boat Captains Association.
On many occasions Tom was often heard saying "Anything done in moderation shows a complete lack of interest and that's how he approached everything he did. He was a quick witted, uninhibited true freewheeling spirit.
He cherished the serenity and thrill of fishing and the lasting memories and friendships he made while doing it. It was on the ocean where he felt most at peace and where his heart was content.
His boat has moved on, his last line cast. Tom was a loving and devoted husband, father, and a true friend, the best of the best.
Next time you are at the ocean feel the peacefulness enter your body and think about all the good things in life. While you are standing there think about the captain as he is now fishing with the Master of the Seas.
To honor Captain Tom King's memory, his family will be holding a true celebration of his life on Saturday December 2, 2023 from 2:00- 6:00pm at Richardson-Gaffey Funeral Home, 382 First Parish Road. Scituate, MA.
The scattering of ashes at his favorite fishing spot, Peaked Hill, Cape Cod will take place in the summer of 2024.
In lieu of flowers please consider donating in Tom's memory to the Alzheimer's Association at www.alz.org as this cause was near and personal to the captain.
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