Thomas James Maguire III Obituary
Thomas James Maguire III, 78, of Riverview, Florida, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, June 4, 2024. Born in Akron, Ohio, on November 15, 1945, to Thomas and Elizabeth (Smith) Maguire, Tom enjoyed traveling, fishing, and refurbishing computers that he donated to airmen at military bases. He was the consummate joke and story teller, and prided himself in making people laugh. Following graduation from Kenmore High School where he was a member of the student council and voted Most Likely to Succeed by his classmates, Tom received a bachelor's degree from the University of Akron in 1968.
As an officer candidate in the Reserve Officers' Training Corps, he developed leadership skills that would serve him throughout his military career. He also served as the Commander of the Arnold Air Society, a professional, honorary, service organization advocating the support of aerospace power. Entering active duty in the United States Air Force in 1968, Tom's first assignment took him and his wife Dorothy to Laughlin AFB, Del Rio, Texas, where he began his 30-year career as a commissioned officer.
Achieving the rank of Colonel before retiring in 1998, Tom served roles in aircraft maintenance, supply and logistics, acquisitions, and finance. His expertise in systems engineering and product support led him to positions with ever increasing responsibility over major weapons programs. Tom's leadership earned him high marks as he commanded a $400 million armament depot complex within a 500-acre weapons storage and maintenance depot at Wenigerath, Germany, with over 300 personnel at three locations in Germany, Belgium, and Denmark.
His many military awards and decorations included the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, and the Air Force Commendation Medal. Tom is survived by Dorothy (Gasper), his wife of 56 years, his son Thomas, his sisters Elizabeth (Patrick) Dougherty and Kathleen (Michael) Hooper as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. The family will receive friends at a calling hour, Tuesday, June 18, at Nativity Catholic Church (705 E. Brandon Blvd), Brandon, Florida, 9:30-10:30 a.m.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. at Nativity Catholic Church. Interment will follow with military honors at 1:30 p.m., Sarasota National Cemetery, 9810 State Road 72, Sarasota, Florida. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Air Force Aid Society or to a charity of your choice.
