Posted on 01/09/2024 6:42:52 PM PST by AbnSarge
Long-time Freeper ConorMacNessa has gone home to the Lord.
Thomas Mitchell Obituary
Thomas (“Tom”) Joseph Mitchell of Laurel, Maryland passed away in his home on January 6, 2024.
Tom was born September 15, 1947 to Thomas G. Mitchell and Marie Annette Mitchell in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was sworn into the United States Navy by his father in October 1967. Tom was a veteran of the Vietnam war and honorably served in the 3rd Battalion, Fifth Marine Regiment, which earned the nickname "The Devil-Dogs of the Belleau Wood." Tom was a recipient of the Purple Heart, an honor that his father conferred on him on August 25, 1969.
After his time in the Navy, Tom attended Loyola University and graduated with a B.A. in English Literature. He went on to attend law school at the University of Miami and graduated with his law degree in 1978.
Tom was known to immerse himself in various hobbies over the years including photography, gardening, researching family ancestry, long-distance running, and choral music. In 1976 (at the end of his first year in law school), Tom began training as a long distance runner; by 1985 he had run 13 marathons! At the age of 38, he began studying music and taking voice lessons. Tom developed into a competent choral singer and in 1987 was proud to be accepted into the Oratorio Society of Washington during which time he sang at the Kennedy Center with the National Symphony. For many years, Tom served as the cantor of the 7:30 a.m. Latin Mass at St. Mary of the Mills Catholic church, and eventually joined the Chancel Choir.
Most importantly, Tom took pride in being a father to his six children, dutifully providing for his family, and imparting his many experiences to them.
He is survived by his wife, Mary Frances Mitchell; his children, Meghan Marie Mitchell (James Gerken), Thomas Joseph Mitchell (Lily Jane Lovejoy), Mary Frances Harvey (Trevor Harvey), Daniel Patrick Mitchell, David Stephen Mitchell, and John Robert Mitchell; grandchild, Elena Marie Harvey; siblings, Marie Annette Vaughan, Mary A. Mitchell Gigliotti, Joseph A. Mitchell, and Denis Mitchell. He was preceded in death by his parents Marie Annette and Thomas G. Mitchell, and his siblings Anthony Mitchell, Bryson Mitchell, and Michael James Mitchell.
Services Visitation will be held at the Donaldson Funeral Home on Friday, January 12, 2024, 6:00pm-8:00pm. *Open Casket viewing available for those who wish from 6:00pm - 6:30pm.*
Funeral mass will be held at 10:00am on Saturday, January 13, 2024 at Resurrection of Our Lord Church, 8402 Brock Bridge Rd, Laurel, MD 20724.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make memorial contributions in honor of Tom to a charity of your choice.
He will be interred in Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.
RIP.
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name;
thy kingdom come;
thy will be done;
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation;
but deliver us from the evil one.
For thine is the kingdom,
the power and the glory,
for ever and ever. Amen.
I met Tom on FreeRepublic nine years back, and when I found out we were only about six miles apart, we got together at least once a month. We got together for family events and served together as officers in the Ancient Order of Hibernians.
He’d not been well for the past several years, but fought through to the very end like the Warrior he was.
I will be at his funeral, and will pull down these tributes and present them to his wife.
God Bless You All
Well done, good and faithful servant.
A Navy corpsman, the combat Marine’s angel. Farewell, may the Lord take this into account.
I’m touched by Connor’s life and the prayers offered here. When the good man stands before our Lord, his hands will be full with the abundant gifts and graces he brings home to his Savior. What a heart! What a life! God bless.
Took an AK round in the back while treating a wounded Marine during an ambush in the “Arizona Territory”
RIP. We who remain salute a passed brother.
“With the Saints give rest, O Christ, to the soul of Your servant
where there is no pain, no sorrow, no sighing, but life everlasting.”
+ + +
Tom was a regular contributor to the Freeper Canteen and I enjoyed many pleasant FReep mail exchanges with him through the years.
May his Memory be Eternal!
Much to be said of their father son relationship...may he truly rest in peace....
I'll just leave these here.
We were indeed fortunate to have a man of Tom’s caliber among us here on Free Republic.
His example will encourage us and guide us as we continue to fight for the country he loved so much and for which he gave so much.
May our Lord comfort his loved ones with the peace that passes all understanding.
And may we always honor his memory.
......”I will be at his funeral, and will pull down these tributes and present them to his wife.”........
Thank you and may the Lord comfort your heart as you mourn the passing of your good friend.
A warm and encouraging friend whom I will miss until I join him.
Wow, born near me and sworn in one month before my birth. RIP Conor!
Bttt
I share his birthday — 20 yrs later. Oh how I hate this part of life.
God bless and keep you, Thomas.
Thank you for posting that wonderful tribute to Tom. He was my first friend on FR and a Wonderful Person.
I always looked forward to his beautiful and imaginative posts of the various Threads on FR.
Rest in Peace in the Arms of Jesus, Dear FRiend.
Blessed travels, FRiend. May he welcome you into His loving arms.
We “chatted” in FReepmails through the years as well. A man you couldn’t help but like and respect.
His memory will live with all those who knew him, no matter to what degree.
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