PLYMOUTH – Thomas John McDonough, Sr., 88, of Plymouth, passed away at his home April 15, 2023. He is survived by his loving wife, Phyllis (Scheffler) McDonough, daughter of the late Dr. Joseph H. and Dorothy (Haertl) Scheffler of Jamaica Plain. He was the son of the late Thomas M. and Hilda H. (Penny) McDonough and loving brother of Ruth DeCoste, Carole McDonough and Linda Morrison. He is also survived by his children; Phyllis McDonough Milot of Summerfield, NC, Capt. Thomas J. McDonough,
Jr., USN, (Ret.) of Norfolk, VA; Joseph H. McDonough of Woburn and Eugene DeCoste McDonough of Gloucester; 9 grandchildren, Laura, Andrew, Thomas III, Dillon, Nicholas, Zachary, Dominick, Kylie, Kacie, and 5 great grandchildren.

He graduated from Jamaica Plain High School in 1953 where his athletic accomplishments in football, basketball and baseball led to his recognition as “one of the greatest all-around athletes in the history of Jamaica Plain High School” by the Boston Post. His abilities upon graduation led to an invitation from the New York Yankees and his recruitment as a quarterback by Boston University, which culminated in an invitation to play for the Boston Patriots in 1960 – the franchise’s first season in the new American Football League.

He joined the U.S Army during the Korean War where he was quickly assigned to Special Services and selected first team All-Army in basketball and baseball and competed throughout the country with many professional players during the war.

He married in 1959 and moved to Plymouth in 1966 after years of vacationing on White Island Pond. He was a successful general contractor and business owner, and member of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters. He easily forged many life-long friendships and became well-known, earning a respected reputation throughout the community in numerous capacities, including dedication as a life-long member of the Elks and their charitable endeavors.

His patriotism and dedication to country and public service were demonstrated in leading State and Local Comprehensive Employment and Training Programs (CETA) as a civil servant and in uniform managing critical programs for the Massachusetts Army National Guard where he completed 27 years of military service. His unending passion for history drove him to achieve his bachelor’s degree from Bridgewater State University in 1982.

He was deeply loved by his family and an anchor for advice and guidance. His love of sports was on display literally every day a Boston team took the field or laced up their skates. Always active, he was an avid golfer and loved any opportunity to play with his friends and family. In 1990, he shot a hole-in-one during the Cape Cod Pro-Am; but nothing gave him more pleasure than walks along Onset Beach and the Cape Cod Canal with his loving wife of 64 years.

Visiting hours are from 4:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 20, 2023 at Chapman Funerals and Cremations – WAREHAM, 2599 Cranberry Hwy., Wareham. A funeral service will follow at 6:30 p.m. at the funeral home.

His burial will be held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, April 21, 2023, at the Massachusetts National Cemetery, Connery Ave., Bourne. MA. Please go directly to the cemetery and arrive at 9:45 a.m.

To share a memory or leave a message of condolence, visit: www.chapmanfuneral.com.