Thompson B. Webster Sr. Obituary

Thompson "Tom" Bradshaw Webster Sr., 75, of Magnolia. Born on Cape Cod in February of 1948, and raised in Chatham. He had an idyllic childhood, playing kick the can until dark, making go carts with the wheels from his sisters' doll carriages, boating to town in his Amesbury skiff, and winning many awards racing various sailboats in Stage Harbor and Pleasant Bay.

In his teenage years, Tom's education included boarding school; his favorite was the one with a farm, where he rode pigs and horses, chewed tobacco, and could proudly stand his jeans up in the corner at the end of the day. In 1964, at the age of 16, he attended Maine Central Institute, where he met the love of his life, Judith Ann. They married in 1967 and built a beautiful life together in N. Magnolia with their 4 children.

Tom was fiercely independent and entrepreneurial by nature. He first went into business for himself in 1968, installing seamless floor surfaces, and later expanding into carpet and tile, as Yankee Floor Covering. In the late 1970s, during the solar energy boom, he started Yankee Solar. And then, in 1984, he transitioned to the excavation industry, establishing Lee Pasture Farm, which remains the family business.

Tom fell in love with boating as a young boy and enjoyed countless hours on the water throughout his life. His pride and joy, Jammin, is a Formula One speedboat upon which he and Judith Ann created lifelong friendships and memories with a large Cape Ann contingent. His other lifelong passion began when, as a young newspaper carrier, he spied a 1928 Ford Model AA roadster pickup truck. Despite his lack of a driver's license, he requested and successfully negotiated the right of first refusal on it and, as an adult, was thrilled to bring the truck home as a prized part of his antique car collection. Tom was an active member of Model A and Austin Healy car clubs, sharing laughs and great times with the good friends he made there.

Tom was a loving husband and father who was devoted to his family. He was also a generous man to those he knew well and those he had just met. You could often find Tom at the counter of any restaurant, animatedly chatting up the folks next to him, as well as the staff. He rarely had an acquaintance, as everyone he met became a fast friend in just a matter of moments.

Tom was predeceased by his parents, Edmund (Mel) and Caroline Webster, and his sister Anne.

He is survived by his devoted wife, Judith Ann, his loving children, Kim Webster, F. Keely Webster, Katrina Webster, and Tom Webster, Jr., as well as his amazing grandchildren, Braely Webster-Jelmberg, Finnian Webster-Jelmberg, Tyler Levin, Erica Levin, and Sky Pattison. Tom is also survived by his siblings Edmund (Ned) Webster, Nancy Dimezza, and Abigail Doherty.

Visiting hours are Sunday, April 2nd, from 3-6 p.m., in the Greeley Funeral Home, 212 Washington Street, Gloucester. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Tom's honor to Cape Ann Animal Aid at http://www.capeannanimalaid.org. Tom took great joy in his Westies & Maine Coons and had a soft spot for any animal in need.

The interment will be held privately at Magnolia Cemetery.