Thomas E. Glannon

He was born on Feb. 7, 1942, in New York City to Helen Eagle Glannon, a librarian, and Edward John Glannon, an artist, and grew up in Roslyn on Long Island. Tom Glannon was a beloved husband, brother, uncle and friend. He and his wife, the poet Claudia Buckholts, were together for 43 years.

He graduated from Roslyn High School and Knox College in Galesburg, Illinois (B.A. English) with additional study at C.W. Post University, Harvard University and Boston State College. He worked as a bookseller in numerous bookstores in Boston and Cambridge, then as a counselor for clients with schizophrenia at South Shore Mental Health. Tom taught in adult education programs for 39 years, specializing in English as a Second Language, social studies and math, first in the North End and East Boston and then in Somerville at S.C.A.L.E. In 1998, he was named Teacher of the Year in Adult Education for Massachusetts.

Tom was warm-hearted, generous and kind, always willing to help anyone in need, especially his students. He was fascinated by people of every sort and made friends everywhere. His students loved him, as did his friends. He was a great storyteller with a wonderful sense of humor and an infectious laugh. His mind was unique, brilliant and insightful; he read widely and thought deeply.

Tom was also dedicated to the study of contemporary American poetry, wrote literary criticism and served as an editor for the Cambridge poetry magazine, Gargoyle. He can be seen in two videos on YouTube enthusiastically reading poetry (search on “Tom Glannon”). He additionally shared this passion by teaching 11 classes in poetry at the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Tufts University.

At home he was fond of composting, often turning over his compost bin three times a day. He enjoyed watching sports and the antics of his beloved cats, Captain Orange and Miranda. He was also interested in contemporary realistic painters and photographers. He enjoyed travel, especially his many visits to Saranac Lake.

Besides his wife, Tom is survived by his devoted sister, Patricia Glannon Wiley, and her husband, Kenneth Wiley; his niece, Katherine Wiley, and her husband, Michael Rings, and their son, Felix Wiley-Rings; and his nephew Casey Wiley, and his wife, Rachael Lyon, and their son, Oscar Wiley. He will be deeply missed by his brother, Joseph Glannon, and his wife, Ann Murphy Glannon, as well as his nephew, Sam Glannon, and his niece, Hallie Glannon.

Tom will be remembered by his sister-in-law, Laura Buckholts Wade, his niece, Margaret Ritzer, and her husband, Jonathan Ritzer, and their son, Jonathan (JP); his niece, Jennifer Grams, and her husband, Ryan Grams, and their sons, Alex Giggey, Jacob Grams and Gavin Grams.

He is also survived by his sister-in-law, Paula Botstein, and her husband, Robert Usadi, and his niece, Ruth Botstein, and her children, Norah and Avi; by his sister-in-law, Mary Lightheart, and her husband, Thomas Frasier; his niece, Kristina Higgins; his niece, Cindy Zavadil, and her daughters Rose and Megan; his nephew, Chad Ladish, and his wife, Amanda Ladish, and their children, Lucy Ladish, Bella Blakeman, Alahna Lockhart and Jenna Blakeman; and his niece, Erin Peterson, and her son, Noah Peterson.

Green burial took place at Rock Ridge Cemetery in Sharon, with arrangements by Casper Funeral Services. Thomas Edward Glannon will be remembered by all who knew him.