Thomas M. Buchanan, 81, passed away October 18 at the Kaplan Hospice House in Danvers surrounded by his beloved family after a long illness. Son of the late Fred A. and Elinore (Ward) Buchanan, Tom was born and raised in Beverly, MA. He attended Beverly Public Schools and then served in the United States Army as an E4 Supply Specialist during Vietnam. He was a proud veteran and suffered a disabling physical injury during his service.
After an honorable discharge Tom sold commercial real estate in Boston and was integrally involved in several local businesses. At the end of his career, Tom was a Facilities Manager for the U.S. Postal Service for 20 years. In retirement he served as president of his condominium association in West Palm Beach for over ten years.
Tom is survived by his loving wife of 57 years, Anita D. (Maistrellis) Buchanan. He is also survived by his son, Jason Buchanan, and his partner, Lindsay Merrill, of Merrimac, MA, and their son, Owen; his daughter, Bailey Buchanan of Manchester-by-the-Sea, and his grandchildren, Konrad Thomas, Tristan and Jagger Nowak; his dear friend and brother-in-law, William Maistrellis; his niece, Raina McManus, and her husband Michael, and their children, Hera and Tycho; his niece, Elisa Maistrellis, and her husband Clayton Lewis; his nephews, Benjamin Murray and Nate Murray, the children of Tom's beloved late sister-in-law, Gail; Nate's wife, Keri, and their children; his nephews, Andrew, Christopher, and Patrick; and his nieces, Anne, Jessica, Jane, Rebecca, Jill, Heather, Jennifer and Ashley.
Tom devoted his life to his family and taught his children and grandchildren by his words and his deeds the value of hard work and that "family takes care of each other." Tom had an especially close relationship with his grandsons and loved making them smile and laugh. His grandsons equally adored and respected their Papa. He loved the ocean as a lobster fisherman, captain of his own boat, hosting bonfires or just visiting the beach. He was a collector of art glass which he loved to gift to family and special friends. He loved vacationing in St. Martin, animals, music and was the best dancer. Generous to a fault, he worked so that he could share what he had with the people he loved. He was a reservoir of strength for his family and whoever needed a port in a storm. Above all else, Tom loved his wife, Anita, and the family they raised and revelled in.
His funeral service will be at Campbell Funeral Home, 525 Cabot Street, Beverly, on Saturday, October 28th, at 3 pm. Relatives and friends are invited to attend. An hour of visitation will be held prior from 2 pm to 3 pm. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Tom's memory to Stairs4RTroops, Inc. at www.stairs4rtroops.com, a Veterans charity that his daughter cofounded to honor Tom's service or to Kaplan Family Hospice House.
