Phone: 207-985-2752
May 27, 1945 – December 29, 2018
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Obituary for Thomas M. "Tom" Couming
Thomas M. Couming, 73 years, a resident of Kennebunk, ME died peacefully at his residence Saturday, December 29, 2018.
Tom was born in Boston, MA on May 27, 1945, the sixth of seven children to Thomas M. and Rita O. (Leonard) Couming.
He attended St. John School in Roxbury, MA, Boston English High School and the University of Massachusetts-Boston where he was the first man to receive a BA in Sociology with a certificate in Women’s Studies. While at UMass, Tom played a critical role in establishing programs to support and advocate for Veterans returning from the Vietnam War.
Tom proudly served his country as a member of the US Air Force from 1964-1968. He spent a career in Human Resources and worked nationally as a Diversity Consultant. He created programs and facilitated training for more inclusive workplaces, and advocated for the LGBT community, minority groups and women. He was a lifelong, avid Red Sox fan.
After retiring to Kennebunk, ME, Tom and Mary founded the non-profit Can Do Program, a bottle redemption project wherein all proceeds were donated to feed the hungry. Through this program, Tom also mentored numerous teenage volunteers from the local community.
Besides his parents, he was predeceased by a sister, Marion A. Couming.
Tom leaves behind his beloved wife of 48 years, Mary S. (Hagan) Couming; his daughters Suzanne (Couming) Caldwell and partner Scott M. Atchison of Alexandria, VA, and Paula (Couming) Reetz and husband Jack F. Reetz, II of Kennebunk, ME; siblings Rosemary (Couming) Symes of Bridgewater, MA, Bernard J. Couming and companion MaryEllen O’Neil of Stoughton, MA, Peter J. Couming and wife Barbara of Camden, DE; Edna R. (Couming) Goode of Groton, CT and Paul B.J. Couming and caregiver Tina Nemetz of Minneapolis, MN. He was the proud grampa to five grandchildren, Jack F. Reetz, III, Haley O.J. Caldwell, Owen T. Reetz, Dylan L. Caldwell and Collin M. Reetz, and loving uncle to many nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held from 4-6 PM on Friday, January 4, 2019, followed immediately by a service at 6 PM, with Reverend Carolyn Lambert officiating at Bibber Memorial Chapel, 67 Summer Street, Kennebunk, ME.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to “A Place To Start”, per Tom’s request, and as a way to support a local organization that Tom believed in www.aplacetostartfordementia.org; A Place to Start, 41 Main Street, Unit 2, Kennebunk, ME 04043.
To share a memory or leave a message of condolence, please visit Tom’s Book of Memories page at www.bibberfuneral.com.
Arrangements are in care of Bibber Memorial Chapel, 67 Summer Street, Kennebunk, ME 04043.
Tom was born in Boston, MA on May 27, 1945, the sixth of seven children to Thomas M. and Rita O. (Leonard) Couming.
He attended St. John School in Roxbury, MA, Boston English High School and the University of Massachusetts-Boston where he was the first man to receive a BA in Sociology with a certificate in Women’s Studies. While at UMass, Tom played a critical role in establishing programs to support and advocate for Veterans returning from the Vietnam War.
Tom proudly served his country as a member of the US Air Force from 1964-1968. He spent a career in Human Resources and worked nationally as a Diversity Consultant. He created programs and facilitated training for more inclusive workplaces, and advocated for the LGBT community, minority groups and women. He was a lifelong, avid Red Sox fan.
After retiring to Kennebunk, ME, Tom and Mary founded the non-profit Can Do Program, a bottle redemption project wherein all proceeds were donated to feed the hungry. Through this program, Tom also mentored numerous teenage volunteers from the local community.
Besides his parents, he was predeceased by a sister, Marion A. Couming.
Tom leaves behind his beloved wife of 48 years, Mary S. (Hagan) Couming; his daughters Suzanne (Couming) Caldwell and partner Scott M. Atchison of Alexandria, VA, and Paula (Couming) Reetz and husband Jack F. Reetz, II of Kennebunk, ME; siblings Rosemary (Couming) Symes of Bridgewater, MA, Bernard J. Couming and companion MaryEllen O’Neil of Stoughton, MA, Peter J. Couming and wife Barbara of Camden, DE; Edna R. (Couming) Goode of Groton, CT and Paul B.J. Couming and caregiver Tina Nemetz of Minneapolis, MN. He was the proud grampa to five grandchildren, Jack F. Reetz, III, Haley O.J. Caldwell, Owen T. Reetz, Dylan L. Caldwell and Collin M. Reetz, and loving uncle to many nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held from 4-6 PM on Friday, January 4, 2019, followed immediately by a service at 6 PM, with Reverend Carolyn Lambert officiating at Bibber Memorial Chapel, 67 Summer Street, Kennebunk, ME.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to “A Place To Start”, per Tom’s request, and as a way to support a local organization that Tom believed in www.aplacetostartfordementia.org; A Place to Start, 41 Main Street, Unit 2, Kennebunk, ME 04043.
To share a memory or leave a message of condolence, please visit Tom’s Book of Memories page at www.bibberfuneral.com.
Arrangements are in care of Bibber Memorial Chapel, 67 Summer Street, Kennebunk, ME 04043.
Visitation
When
January 4, 2019 4:00pm - 6:00pm
Location
Bibber Memorial Chapel-Kennebunk
Address
67 Summer Street Kennebunk, ME 04043
Service Information
When
January 4, 2019 6:00pm
Location
Bibber Memorial Chapel-Kennebunk
Address
67 Summer Street Kennebunk, ME 04043
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