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Thomas Albert Maddigan

The Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution announces with great sorrow the death of former employee, beloved husband, father, friend, and forever the captain of his family’s ship, Thomas Albert Maddigan, on October 17, 2024, with his family by his side.

Tom was born in Middleboro, MA, to Albert T. and Carol (Cushing) Maddigan. Tom grew up with a deep connection to the ocean, fostered from years of summering and sailing out of Onset. There, he met his wife, Susan. Tom graduated from Middleboro High School in 1968, Boston University in 1972, and the New England School of Law in 1975. He joined his father at A.T. Maddigan Law Office, where he practiced until the firm’s eventual acquisition. During those years, he was a fixture at Falmouth High School lacrosse and football games cheering on his sons, and he helped to start multiple youth programs still active today. Tom served as director and advisor for Eastern Bank for many years, while enjoying second careers with the WHOI, Mass Maritime Academy’s boat donation program, and Sea Tow. Tom began his career at WHOI in 2002 as a distribution assistant under Bob Greene.  In 2003, he became an engineering assistant under Rick Trask.  He left in 2007. These careers led to lifelong friendships which paired his love for the ocean with the genuine pride he took in helping others. He provided wise counsel to family, friends, and long-term clients, until his final days.

When he and Susan moved their young family to Woods Hole in 1988, Tom knew he had found his hailing-port for life. But he was not one to stay in the harbor, and under the drawbridge he would go, his true happiest moments at sea with his family. He sailed beetle cats as a kid before moving up to larger catboats. Within the Catboat Association, he served on the Steering Committee and as President. Tom and Susan sailed their 1975 Fenwick Williams 25’ wooden Cape Cod catboat “Shoveller” from Maine to Cape Cod. After years of sailing local waters, they left Eel Pond sailing to Key West and back. Just a few years later, he left Woods Hole again, with Susan at his side, on their Bristol 40’ sloop “Brilliant.” They cruised the Bahamas extensively for years, having indescribable adventures. His was a steady hand on the tiller and his eye keen for the wind, which inspired confidence in all who sailed with him. Saltwater was truly in his veins.

Soon, his sons were starting their own families and so Tom and Sue came home, trading sails for power and re-settling in downtown Falmouth. There he took on his favorite role, that of grandfather, which he excelled at by any and all measures. He was a fixture at Nobska Beach in his beach chair, a small grandchild or two on his lap, feet buried in the sand, teaching each of them the names of the Steamship Authority ferries, until they identified each by sight even faster than he was able.

Tom leaves behind his wife Susan, it being impossible to think of one without the other. They lived the life of soulmates for nearly 50 years. He also leaves his sons Patrick (Hingham, MA) and Brendan (Brooklyn, NY), their wives Michelle (Lenzo) Maddigan and Alexandra (DeLuca) Maddigan, and his beloved grandchildren: Finn Thomas, Abigail Marie, Camden Thomas, and Celeste Rose. Sharing in their grief are Tom’s brother Kenneth, his sister Majorie, and their families, Tom’s much loved family in-law, the Barry’s, and a shipload of special cousins, friends and extended family. Sail on Tom, under the drawbridge and toward the gentle setting sun, out to the open water and the fair winds and following seas which await.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, October 24 from 4-6:30 p.m. at Chapman Funerals & Cremations, 475 Main Street, Falmouth. A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, October 25 at 1 p.m. at Church of the Messiah, 22 Church Street, Woods Hole.

In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to the Buzzards Bay Coalition, 114 Front Street, New Bedford, MA, 02740.

Information for this obituary is from the Chapman Funeral Home website