Accomplished carpenter and home builder
VENICE, Fla. — Tom Munroe passed away surrounded by loved ones in Venice, Florida on June 2, 2024 following a brief illness.
Born Jan. 5, 1958, Tom was raised in Lynnfield. As a teenager, he showed a knack for craftsmanship, fixing up sports cars and boats— the latter of which he enjoyed at the family’s summer house on Merrymeeting Lake in New Durham, New Hampshire. Those skills served him throughout his life, where he made his living as an accomplished carpenter and builder. Over the decades, Tom built several homes from the foundation up, and improved countless more. He took great pride in his work and always held a keen appreciation for architecture and the building trades.
Tom raised his family in Newmarket, New Hampshire, where he was a constant presence at youth sporting events for his two sons, Steven and Scott. While Tom was a man of few hobbies, he had many interests. In addition to woodworking, he was a skilled cook, an avid reader and a sports fan, mostly the Boston Red Sox. While a serious man, he also loved to laugh — especially at his own expense.
Later in life, Tom resettled in Englewood, Florida, where he married Mary Van Doren. Tom always hated the New England winters, and he enjoyed the more relaxed pace of life that Florida offered. He seemed most at peace spending time by the pool, enjoying a meal outdoors and watching the Red Sox — preferably all three in the same evening. The pace was not so relaxed, however, to keep him from renovating two houses in his spare time. His hands were simply never idle.
Above all, Tom will be remembered by those closest to him as a selfless parent, partner and neighbor.
Tom leaves behind his father, George I. Munroe of Lynnfield; his wife, Mary Van Doren, of Englewood, Florida; his son Steven Munroe and his wife, Cailie Burns, of Norwalk, Connecticut; and his son Scott Munroe of Rocky Hill, Connecticut. He also leaves behind his sister Karen Lowrie and her husband, Douglas Lowrie, of Hamilton; his sister Susan D’Alelio and her husband, Angelo D’Alelio, of North Reading; his brother Christopher Munroe of Rochester, New York; Steven and Scott’s mother, Penny Munroe, of Exeter, New Hampshire; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Tom was predeceased by his mother, Helen Munroe, and by his brothers George and Michael Munroe.
Relatives, friends and acquaintances are welcome to a reception in celebration of Tom’s life at the Yard House in Lynnfield on Tuesday, June 18, 2024 from 5:30-7:30 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations in Tom’s honor to World Kitchen Central (https://donate.wck.org/), a cause that was close to his heart.
