Thomas “Tom” McGwire of Peconic, the husband of the late Margaret Ann “Peggy” McGwire passed away peacefully on December 1, 2016, at his home. He was 84 years old.
Tom was born in Watchung, New Jersey to the late Margaret “Mike” Wilmerding and the late Edwin Dudley McGwire. After graduating with a bachelor’s degree from the University of Vermont in 1954, Tom joined the United States Army. He served from 1954 to 1956 and was honorably discharged as a 1st Lieutenant.
Tom began his business career as a fuel oil salesman for Esso Oil Company, eventually becoming a district manager and, finally, a part of the mergers and acquisition group buying and selling fuel stations. In 1970, Tom took over Industrial Heater Corp. on Canal St. in New York City. He successfully grew the company into a major supplier to the plastics industry and earned two patents for innovative heater designs. Tom was also successful in real estate, starting Topeka Realty Corporation in 1980 and was instrumental in forming the Arrow Head Cove Association of Peconic in 1990.
An avid tennis player, golfer, outdoorsman, and traveler, Tom belonged to the Pelham Country Club, the North Fork Country Club and the Ocean Reef Club. He served on several boards of directors including Eastern Long Island Hospital, Eastern Region of the Society of Plastics Industry and the North Fork Country Club.
Tom is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Thomas “Tad” and Kathy, his daughter and son-in-law, Mary Margaret “Polly” and Richard Cosmedy, seven grandchildren Thomas McGwire III, Charles McGwire, Brett McGwire, Michael Cosmedy, Christopher Cosmedy, Dana Cosmedy and Peter Cosmedy. He is also survived by his brother and sister-in-law Ted and Doris McGwire, his sister and brother-in-law, Sandra and Robert Cassaro, his brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Katherine and James Mauer and his sister-in-law, Mary Jo Douglas.
Our family extends a heartfelt thank you to all of the health care providers wh0 cared for Tom, especially Maureen Meyers-Cavanaugh and to his extended family of friends who enriched his life. In particular, we would like to thank Betsey Skudder and the Jayne family for their love and friendship.
Memorial donations may be made to the First Presbyterian Church of Southold.
The family entrusted arrangements to the Coster-Heppner Funeral Home.
