Who was he?
A great question.
I met Tom on FR at least 10 years back, because we were geographically close and because we were both incredibly proud of our mutual Irish Catholic Heritage. (Search the mythology of his screen name, Conor Macnessa).
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.
This is the one guy for whom I will dig out my dress blues, shave my beard and arrive in accordance with AR-670-2 to say goodbye to my brother in arms.
We will be there with you in spirit.
Rest In Peace Tom. 🙏🙏🙏
God bless you for posting and RIP Tom. Your mutual faith is your comfort.
ConorMacNessa was my first friend on FR.