Thomas Joseph Carmody
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Published in May 2026
Thomas Joseph Carmody Jr passed peacefully at home in Falmouth surrounded by loved ones on Saturday, May 2nd, at the age of 70.
Tom was born in November 1955 to Alice and Thomas Carmody Sr. and grew up in South Portland, where he excelled in baseball and football. As captain and two-way starter for the Red Riots football team, his relentless pursuit and toughness earned him a rare recognition: All-State honors on both offense and defense (OL/DL). He amassed more than 150 tackles during his career, and legendary coach Jack Flynn referred to him as “one of the top 3 linemen” he ever coached during his induction into the school’s football hall of fame.
South Portland High School was also where Tom formed lifelong friendships that provided endless support throughout his life — and where he met the love of his life, Kim, whom he married in 1980.
Tom attended Calhoon Engineering School in Baltimore, which led to exciting world travels as a Merchant Marine, including stops in Hong Kong, Hamburg, and Portugal. A nuclear engineer by trade, he served as a Senior Reactor Operator at Maine Yankee for 18 years, first in the control room and later the decommissioning project.
The next chapter of his career had him traveling across the country to various nuclear plants as a project manager. He built a strong reputation for safety, diligence, and operational excellence. His deep knowledge of NRC regulations and ability to bring troubled projects back on schedule made him a highly sought-after expert in the field.
Tom was a devoted father, an avid reader, and a passionate fisherman. Many of his greatest stories stem from fishing expeditions, and he was often dressed for one just in case the opportunity arose. His garage frequently resembled a tackle shop — stocked with every rod, lure, and piece of gear imaginable. Whether fishing for largemouth bass, trout, or stripers, Tom was always prepared. And when he couldn’t find the perfect lure, he made it himself. To this day, some of his finest creations remain in his sons’ tackle boxes, waiting for the next cast.
Tom brought tremendous energy and humor to coaching youth hockey, always emphasizing the fun. After a Casco Bay state championship victory, he famously followed through on a promise to the team by shaving his mustache and organizing a celebratory limo ride around town.
Beyond coaching, Tom reveled in the nonstop carousel of the boys’ sports games and tournaments throughout New England and beyond. With unquestionable commitment, he prioritized everything else around the hectic sports schedules—enduring long road trips, early (and cold!) mornings, and constant equipment shuffling. The relationships and memories forged during those years still drive family conversations today, a testament to the joy it brought him.
More recently, “Buppa” was a fixture at ice rinks, baseball diamonds, and football fields cheering on his grandkids and giving a nod of approval and thumbs up when they found him in the stands.
A beloved husband, father, brother, uncle, and grandfather, Tom was predeceased by his parents, Alice and Thomas Carmody Sr., and his brother, Stephen.
He is survived by his loving wife of 46 years, Kim; his three sons: TJ Carmody of Dothan, Mike Carmody and his wife Jaime of Windham, and Dan Carmody and his wife Erin of Falmouth; and the grandchildren he so wholly adored: Ashlinn, Tommy, Emma, Jack, Alice, and Patrick.
Tom’s courageous battle with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) was yet another example of his immense strength and grit. The family extends heartfelt thanks to his care team, including Devon with Reliable Respiratory, Betsy and Hospice of Southern Maine, and Synergy Healing.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to Compassionate Care ALS.
A celebration of Tom’s life will be held in the coming weeks.
We love you, Buppa!