Born in Rumford, Maine, Tom was the son of Edith and Samuel York. He graduated from Morse High School in 1959 in Bath, Maine, and the University of Maine in 1963, majoring in Mechanical Engineering. Tom met his wife, Beth Kendall York, at a friend’s wedding and enjoyed 49 great years of marriage together.
Tom began his career as a mechanical engineer at Nestlé USA in Connecticut, before returning to work in Maine at Bath Iron Works where he held multiple positions including Vice President of Facilities. He first retired at the age of 52 following 25-plus rewarding years at BIW.
Tom started his second career growing and selling Rhododendrons and Azaleas in his seven green houses at York’s Hardy Rhododendrons in North Bath. He officially retired for the second and final time last year after 20 years of the most stressfree and enjoyable job Tom could have imagined in the flower business.
Tom enjoyed camping, boating, fishing, photography, gardening and spending time with his grandchildren. Watching his grandchildren who called him “Beeps” play soccer, field hockey, lacrosse and ski were probably his most enjoyable days. Within the past year, he also picked up the hobby of building beautiful handcrafted canoes.
He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Beth York of Bath; two children Andy York and his wife Michelle of Scarborough and Julie York of Massachusetts; two grandchildren, Maddie and Kayleigh York of Scarborough; and a brother, Samuel York and his wife Donna of Cumberland and their children, Christopher and Heather.
The York family wishes to extend their appreciation to the caregivers who gave loving care to Tom while at the Gibson wing at Maine Medical Center and at Gosnell Hospice.
Visiting hours will be held on Thursday, July 3, 2014, from 10-11 a.m. at the David E. Desmond & Son Funeral Home, 638 High St., Bath. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. at the funeral home.
To share your thoughts and condolences with the family, please visit www.desmondfuneralhomes.com.
In lieu of flowers, the family would like you to please consider a memorial donation in Tom’s name to: The Gibson Pavilion, Maine Medical Center, 22 Bramhall St., Portland, ME 04102; or Kennebec Estuary Land Trust, P.O. Box 1128, Bath, ME 04530.
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