Thomas Kearns

Thomas Kearns, age 84, passed over to glory on September 12, 2025 at his home in York, Maine. He was the husband of Charlotte Couch Kearns since 1964. He fell in love with Charlotte in an Organic Chemistry Class. Their life together was pure chemistry. He passed away on their 61st wedding anniversary.

Thom was born July 6, 1941 in Pawtucket, Rhode Island. He was the only child of Josephine Hovanic Kearns and Thomas F. Kearns. He graduated from St. Raphael Academy in 1959, where he was captain of the track team and State Class B 880 Champion, undefeated in dual meet competitions over two years, as well as a member of the Class B cross country championship team.

Thom attended Colorado State University his freshman year. He then transferred to the University of Rhode Island, where he worked 2 jobs to put himself through college. He earned his bachelor’s degree in biochemistry and biology. He was a member of Phi Mu Delta fraternity, President of the Interfraternity Council, and a speaker at two National IFC Conventions. He was also a member of the Student Senate. He later attended Columbia University and New York University for graduate work in biochemistry. 

He was a member of the New Jersey Army National Guard for 6 years.

Thom was a Master Mason, having been raised at Darcy Lodge #37 in Flemington, NJ. He later transferred his membership to Temple Lodge #173 of Free and Accepted Masons, in Westwood, NJ.  He was also a member of Masonic Camp of Bear Mountain, NY where he and his family loved spending their summers, making many lifelong friends and incredible memories.

Thom began his career as an Assistant Quality Control Manager for Beecham Pharmaceuticals, producing the first synthetic penicillin (ampicillin). He later worked as a Packaging Engineer for Avon Products and introduced the first-ever jewelry line to Avon. He was Head of International Packaging and Manager of Internal Consulting for Schering-Plough Pharmaceuticals. He was Vice President of Client Services for Throughput Technologies, where he became one of the country’s leading experts in the Theory of Constraints, consulting and teaching to Fortune 500 Companies throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico, Columbia, and England. 

After “retiring” to Cape Cod, Thom bought Anchor Design and Pool Corporation, the oldest and largest swimming pool business on Cape Cod. He loved designing and selling swimming pools and loved working with and sharing an office with his wife Charlotte.

While living on Cape Cod, Thom was a member of Brewster Baptist Church, where he served as a Deacon, as well helping others in any capacity needed.  

Thom was an active member of First Parish York Congregational Church, in York, Maine where he was a Deacon and Vice Moderator. He led the Drive Through Nativity from 2016 through 2019. He was a wonderful Christian man, a kind and faithful soul who touched the lives of so many through his faith and devotion.  

Thom was appointed by the town in 2015 to serve on the York River Study Committee. He was a valued team member whose work ultimately led to the 2022 designation of the York River into the National Wild and Scenic Rivers Systems, helping to conserve the river, natural habitats and open spaces.   

Thom was a wonderful woodcarver, specializing in low relief carving. He LOVED to fish and believed that a day spent fishing was not deducted from your days on earth. He spent many hours making his own flies and lures which will be passed on for generations to come.  He loved to hike and be outdoors all of his life. He hiked the Appalachian Trail and loved to share the stories of his incredible journey. He also had a huge love of nature - deer, birds (he knew every birdcall and could often be found conversing back and forth with a cardinal or two); and had a special affinity for a momma fox that took up shelter with her 8 kits under his shed on Cape Cod. She adored him and followed him around the yard and would stare longingly into the windows of the sunroom, hoping to be invited in. 

He personally believed in treating others as he would wish to be treated and practiced the philosophy of paying it forward. He believed that the more people you had to love you, and be loved by you, the better for all. His kindness, generosity, and sense of humor will never be forgotten. He enriched the lives of everyone he touched. Thom was a total gem of a person and he was blessed to have walked life’s journey with his wife Charlotte, who adored him.

He was the proud father of three wonderful children (one of whom he liked best) and seven terrific grandchildren that he loved immensely: daughter Shannon Kearns Barna, her husband Jason, their children Calvin and Gillian of Eliot, Maine; son, Merritt Kearns, his wife Tori, their children, Journey, Heather and Mya of Statesboro, Georgia; and daughter Bryn Erin Kearns Keaveny, her husband David and their children Keira and Brooks of Eliot, Maine. 

He was beyond blessed to have the care and friendship of his wonderful nurse Rose.

Thom is survived by many cousins in Rhode Island, enjoying every holiday and making lifelong memories, as well as many Congdon cousins, that still have a family reunion every summer on Cape Cod.

Thom was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease in 2017. He did not let this define him. He bore the cross of Parkinson’s with dignity and grace. Well done, good and faithful servant…

In lieu of flowers please perform a good deed, such as visiting someone who is lonely. 

To contribute to the Parkinson's Foundation in Thom’s name: https://www.parkinson.org