Thomas E. McAvoy

Thomas (Tom) Edward McAvoy IV passed away from natural causes on June 23, 2025, in hospice care at Christiana Hospital in Newark, DE, surrounded by his family. Tom was born on November 11, 1928, in White Plains, New York, to Thomas Edward McAvoy III (Pal) and Dorothy Gladys McAvoy (nee Austin).  During the depression, Tom’s parents packed up the family and traveled south to Florida doing odd jobs along the way. Returning to New York in 1938, 10-year-old Tom helped out in a stationery store with a soda fountain that his father opened in East Chester. As a boy, Tom spent many hours on a beloved family member's farm which gave him a lifetime love for agriculture (especially chickens). 

In 1950 Tom served in the US Air Force and received an Associate’s Degree in Accounting & Business Administration at New Rochelle School of Business, New Rochelle, NY. While in the Air Force, Tom and his new bride, Patty, moved to California where they started their family.  From 1952-1963 he was branch store manager of a Sherwin Williams paint store in White Plains, NY.

From 1963 to 1997, he worked in the paint and wallpaper business while raising 6 kids in Newark, Delaware. Upon retiring, Tom spent many hours working at DelCastle Golf Club where he had many friends and good times on the links.

Tom loved all his children, grandchildren, and great children deeply.  He was an enthusiastic gardener, woodworker and fisherman and always had a project going for his children and their children.  He is survived by his six children, Tom (Christie), Ellen Elliott (Douglas), Constance Park (David), William (Teri), Karen, and Mary Curran (Hugh), eleven grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.  His beloved wife Patricia passed away in 2010.  He had a long and full life.

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