Obituary of Thomas J. Locke

 Thomas James Locke, "Tom", age 74, of Bridgewater, Massachusetts, passed away peacefully on Thursday, February 20, 2025.  His hard-working, kind, tired heart, quietly took its last beat with family beside him. Tom, always a generous person, gave the ultimate gift. He was an organ donor.

Tom was born in Boston and grew up in Randolph, Massachusetts. Tom was honored to be named after his uncle, Thomas J. Locke, who was killed in action in World War II. He graduated from Cardinal Spellman High School in Brockton, and furthered his education at Wentworth Institute of Technology in Boston, pursuing his love of aeronautics. He graduated from the Aircraft Maintenance Program and received his Airframe and Power Plant licenses from the FAA. He had a long and dedicated career as an airline mechanic, working for Air New England, Piedmont and US Airways airlines. Tom had a great love for his country; he was proud to be an American and proud to be a staff sergeant in the Massachusetts Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve, out of Otis Air Force Base on Cape Cod, MA, working on the Egress Mechanical division.

Tom loved nothing more than his family, friends, and canine companions; Mindy, Buca, Lucy and Chloe. Tom loved all dogs, and he always had dog treats in his pockets wherever he went just in case he met a dog during his travels. Tom was always helping others and was the first to drop everything to help someone in need. He always made fast friends with everyone he met. 

Many of Tom's friends would be surprised to know that he was a proficient flautist, and true to his Irish roots, loved traditional Irish music. Growing up, he was in Scouting, played Little League baseball, and was a member of the Civil Air Patrol at Nike Missile Site in Randolph. Tom was an avid New England sports fan, especially of the Boston Bruins, being a hockey player himself. He played hockey on Norroway Pond at Powers Farm in Randolph, and played competitively throughout his school years and adulthood. 

He loved the ocean and spending time with family and friends at Saquish Beach in Plymouth, MA. He restored many of the homes and properties he owned, including restoring the historic architecture of the Farrah's Flat Iron building in Middleboro, MA, where he opened his business, Farrah's Flat Iron Café. Tom collected model trains, and proudly displayed a working train at the café, loved by both children and adults. Tom's family will always remember his famous loaves of bread that he baked from scratch for every holiday gathering. 

Tom loved "bar-room" style pizza from Amvets and Lynwood Café, both located in Randolph. He was also a big fan of pizza from Cape Cod Café and Mamma Mia's. Tom was overjoyed to be able to offer his own bar-room style pizza when he opened Farrah’s Flat Iron Café. He loved to spoil his family and friends and would often make pizzas and surprise them by hand-delivering it to them at their homes, or even down to their cottages on Saquish Beach. While he loved to spoil his family and friends, he loved spoiling his dogs even more. He was never empty handed when coming home to them or when visiting family or friends with dogs. 

Tom will be deeply missed. His kindness, loving heart, and unwavering love for his family, friends and dogs will forever be cherished. His legacy will live on in the hearts of his family, friends, and all those who had the privilege of knowing him. Please think of a fond memory of him next time you enjoy a cold Busch Light beer or bar-style pizza, smile, and raise a toast in his name.

Tom is preceded in death by his parents, James P. Locke and Florence (Gildea) Locke, his brother, Kenneth Locke, and brother-in-law, John Levangie. Tom is survived by his sister, Janet (Locke) Levangie of Plympton, MA and his sister, Pauline Locke of Sagamore Beach, MA. Tom is also survived by his niece Amanda Lindvall and wife Carrie Holmes; nephew Ian Lindvall and wife Kelly, great-nephews Brandon, Dylan and Iain Lindvall; niece Jacquelyn (Levangie) Ferreira and husband Helder; niece Juliet (Levangie) Fuller, great-niece Braelin Fuller, and great-nephew Braoin Fuller. Tom is also survived by his dear special friend, Denise Buote, her daughter Nicole and husband Bob Pepin, and her grand-children Zoe and Emerson Pepin.

Calling hours will be from 1:00pm to 3:30pm on Sunday, March 9, 2025 at the Shepherd Funeral Home, 216 Main Street, Kingston, Massachusetts, 02364. Family and friends are welcome to attend the memorial service that will be held at the funeral home immediately following the calling hours. Burial will be private.

In lieu of flowers, if you so wish, the family asks that you consider a donation in memory of Tom to your local animal shelter. If a donation is unable to be made, please consider donating your time to giving love and affection to the pets at your local animal shelter.