Thomas James Maguire III, 78, of Riverview, Florida, passed away peacefully on
Tuesday, June 4, 2024.
Born in Akron, Ohio, on November 15, 1945, to Thomas and Elizabeth (Smith) Maguire,
Tom enjoyed traveling, fishing, and refurbishing computers that he donated to airmen at
military bases. He was the consummate joke and story teller, and prided himself in
making people laugh.
Following graduation from Kenmore High School where he was a member of the
student council and voted Most Likely to Succeed by his classmates, Tom
received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Akron in 1968. As an officer
candidate in the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps, he developed leadership skills that
would serve him throughout his military career. He also served as the Commander of
the Arnold Air Society, a professional, honorary, service organization advocating the
support of aerospace power.
Entering active duty in the United States Air Force in 1968, Tom’s first assignment took
him and his wife Dorothy to Laughlin AFB, Del Rio, Texas, where he began his 30-year
career as a commissioned officer. Achieving the rank of Colonel before retiring in 1998,
Tom served roles in aircraft maintenance, supply and logistics, acquisitions, and
finance. His expertise in systems engineering and product support led him to positions
with ever increasing responsibility over major weapons programs. Tom’s leadership
earned him high marks as he commanded a $400 million armament depot complex
within a 500-acre weapons storage and maintenance depot at Wenigerath, Germany,
with over 300 personnel at three locations in Germany, Belgium, and Denmark. His
many military awards and decorations included the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star,
Meritorious Service Medal, and the Air Force Commendation Medal.
Tom is survived by Dorothy (Gasper), his wife of 56 years, his son Thomas, his sisters
Elizabeth (Patrick) Dougherty and Kathleen (Michael) Hooper as well as many nieces,
nephews, cousins, and friends.
The family will receive friends at a calling hour, Tuesday, June 18, at Nativity Catholic
Church (705 E. Brandon Blvd), Brandon, Florida, 9:30-10:30 a.m. Mass of Christian
Burial will be celebrated Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. at Nativity Catholic Church. Interment
will follow with military honors at 1:30 p.m., Sarasota National Cemetery, 9810 State
Road 72, Sarasota, Florida. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Air Force
Aid Society or to a charity of your choice.
Previous Events
Visitation
18
Jun
705 East Brandon Blvd.
Brandon, FL 33511
Service
18
Jun
705 East Brandon Blvd.
Brandon, FL 33511
Interment
18
Jun
9810 State Road 72
Sarasota, FL 34241
