Thomas Aloysius McGuire, 68, of Gloucester, son of the late James Brendan and Opal Mary (Brady) McGuire, was born in Indianapolis, Indiana, on June 3, 1949. He passed away on March 31, 2018 in Gloucester. His family and friends mourn the passing of this wonderful, kind man.
Tom graduated from Francis C. Hammond High School in 1967 and enlisted in the army in March 1968. He attended Officer Candidate School and was commissioned a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army, which he considered one of the major accomplishments in his life. After a couple of years in Germany, he volunteered for duty in Vietnam where he served with distinction with the combat engineers. He commanded a company of men as a Captain and earned the Bronze Star for his valor.
After he returned home in December 1971, he left the army and began working as a roadie with rock and roll bands. In 1979, he entered the restaurant business in Washington, D.C. For several years, he managed The Dubliner Irish Pub and J. Paul’s in Georgetown. Afterward, he moved to Williamsburg, Virginia, where he worked in several restaurants there including the Green Leafe Café. He was married from 1986-1989 to Gemma McGuire.
His brother Mike was able to entice Tom out to California in 1989 where he continued his career in restaurant management, including a memorable stint at Orleans Restaurant in West Los Angeles. He then made a career change. An opportunity came up in the security force with the J. Paul Getty Trust and he took it, serving as a security officer and supervisor for 11 years at both the Getty Center in Los Angeles and the Getty Villa in Malibu. As with all of his jobs, Tom made many friends while working there, but his heart was not in California. He was drawn back to southeastern Virginia. He couldn’t stay away, and so he moved to Gloucester in 2004. He found work at several restaurants but it was not until 2013 that his life really came together and he found that simple but satisfying existence he so craved. He worked a few days a week with his friends and wonderful customers at the spectacular White Dog Bistro in Mathews, Virginia. But it was how he spent his volunteer time where he made his mark on the community.
Tom volunteered at the Gloucester-Mathews Humane Society as often as he could. Tom loved all of the animals that he came in contact with but he was known for his devotion to that dog breed that is so often misunderstood—pit bulls. He loved those “square heads” and would seek them out for extra attention and play. For some examples of how he was loved by all he met there, please visit the Facebook page of the Gloucester-Mathews Humane Society.
Tom is survived by his sister, Mary Patricia O’Connell, and brothers, Michael J. McGuire and James B. McGuire II; his nieces and nephews, Kathi, Colleen, Chip, Kevin, David and Anna, and their families.
A celebration of Tom’s life will be held at the White Dog Bistro, 68 Church Street, Mathews, on Wednesday, April 11, 2018, from 5-7 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Gloucester-Mathews Humane Society, 6620 Jackson Lane, Gloucester, Va. 23061.
Andrews Funeral Home & Crematory is in charge of arrangements.