SENATE ADJOURNMENT

OFFERED BY SENATOR HARRIETTE L. CHANDLER AND SENATOR MICHAEL O. MOORE

July 22, 2019

The Senate adjourns in memory of Thomas J. Noonan of Shrewsbury Massachusetts, who passed July 7th in the comfort of his home.

Tom Noonan was born on February 26th, 1929 to Dennis T. and Nora C. Noonan. One of four siblings, he was raised on Worcester's Vernon Hill and attended Saint John’s High School.

Tommy tried to join the Navy during WWII, but he was sent home back to Saint John’s because he was only an eager fourteen. After graduation, by the time he was able to re-enlist, it was the end of the war and he would later tell his family that he didn't need to reenlist because “once the Germans and Japanese heard rumors of his potential return they threw down their artillery and surrendered!” He later served four years in the Reserves and fulfilled his self-obligation to his country.

Tom first worked at the Telegram and Gazette and briefly as a state trooper. In 1961 he was offered a position as a docket clerk in Worcester's Central District Court. He worked his way up to assistant clerk and was appointed Clerk Magistrate of the Central District Court by Gov. Dukakis in 1977 – where he would remain an institution, a friendly face and a mentor until his retirement in 2017.

Tommy was blessed with a large and loving family and he is survived by his wife Linda E. Turnquist, his many children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. He will be missed.