Beary, Thomas J. Jr.

Description

Thomas J. Beary

Thomas J. Beary was born in Connecticut July 25, 1919, son of Thomas J. and Louise Beary. In Rye Thomas Jr. lived at 1085 Boston Post Road with his parents and his sister Mary. Thomas J. Berry Sr. was a superintendent of a Boys Camp while his mother worked as a sales lady in a department store.

Growing up in Rye, his family were members of the Church of Resurrection. Thomas Jr. was a graduate in the Class of 1939 from Rye High School. In school he was President of the Boy’s Union, President of the Drivers Club, member of the Boxing Club, a Home Room Representative, and had parts in the plays the ” Ivory Door ” and ” China Boy “. After his graduation, according to his draft card from October 1940, he was working at the Acme Service Station located at 1099 Boston Post Road.

Thomas enlisted in the U.S Navy shortly after Pearl Harbor on March 18, 1942. He served as an Aviation Machinist Mate 1st Class throughout World War II. Aviation Machinist’s Mates are United States Navy aircraft engine mechanics that inspect, adjust, test, repair, and overhaul aircraft engines and propellers. More specifically, AAMs install, maintain, and service various aircraft engine types as well as various accessories, gear boxes, related fuel systems, and lubrication systems; determine reasons for engine degradation using various test equipment; perform propeller repairs; handle and service aircraft ashore or aboard ship; and can also serve as aircrewman in various types of aircraft.

Thomas would marry Mary Irene Torpey Beary in Chicago on November 27, 1942 . He would spend one year in Africa during his service, and meet up with fellow Rye High School graduates from his class that served in the war in Italy for a reunion. Three Rye Men Meet In Italy

Thomas’s service highlights include:

NAVAL AVIATOR, MEDITERRANEAN, NORTH AFRICAN CAMPAIGN, INVASIONS OF SICILY, ITALY, AND FRANCE. SERVED 4 YEARS 1942-1945. PORT LYAUTY, AFRICA; NAPLES, ITALY AND TOULON, FRANCE. SERVED NOVEMBER 1944 TO 1945 SPARTANBURG, SOUTH CAROLINA.

After the war, Thomas and his wife Mary returned to Rye. He was very active in local politics and president of the Rye Veterans Association. In the early 1970’s Thomas moved to Indiantown, FL. There he formed the Indianwood Fire Patrol and helped establish the Crime Watch Patrol in the Indianwood neighborhood of Indiantown. He was a member of the Western Martin County Board of Fire Commissioners and was the first president of the Indiantown Civic Center.

Thomas Joseph Beary Jr., 86, died Sept. 10, 2005, at his home. At the time of his death his survivors included his wife of 62 years, Mary Irene Torpey Beary; son, Thomas Joseph Beary III; daughters, Marjorie Anne Beary and Maureen Patricia Beary Engelstad; sister, Mary Louise Beary Bell; five grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

Matthew Franco
RHS 2021