Thomas G. Howrigan, MD
(January 22, 1921 - December 29, 2013)
U.S. Veteran Fairfield - Thomas G. Howrigan, MD was born in Fletcher, Vermont in 1921, the son of Margaret A. (McCarthy) Howrigan and William E. Howrigan. He was a lifelong member of St. Patrick's Parish and farmer, a transient custodian of the land, located on the Fairfield-Fletcher town line.
He graduated from St. Mary's High School in St. Albans and served in the U.S. Army Air Corps, Asiatic - Pacific Theater during World War II. He maintained a lasting interest in aviation and functioned within the federal Aeronautics Administration as Accident Investigator, Aviation Medical Examiner and Pilot, holding single engine sea and multiengine landplane ratings.
He attended St. Michael's College and graduated from the University of Vermont including its College of Medicine. He completed a Rotating Internship at the Bishop de Goesbriand Hospital in Burlington, Vermont and a General Surgery Residency, being Chief Resident during the fourth year; followed by a one year Fellowship in Thoracic Surgery, all at St. Vincent's Hospital in Worcester, Massachusetts.
Over a lengthy period he accomplished surgery involving most of the surgery disciplines at all three St. Albans Hospitals.
He was a member of several professional organizations including the County and State Medical Societies; also a longtime Fellow of the American Society of Abdominal Surgeons and American College of Surgeons. In the latter, he was a life member of its Fellows Leadership Society and was enrolled in the Vermont State Chapter.
He was a member of the Flying Doctors Association and was founder of the Tom Jones Construction Company.
He served as Director of Kerbs Memorial Hospital and was a longtime member of the local Hospital Incorporators. He served the Town of Fletcher as Auditor and Selectman. He was a member of the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars.
Having great respect and reverence for innocent human life he supported State and National Right to Life organizations.
In addition to his parents he was predeceased by brothers, Bernard who died in infancy, Raymond "Pat", USMC who was killed in action on Iwo Jima, Francis and his wife, Neva, W. Robert and Harold and sisters, Mary Connor and her husband, Bernard and Rose O’Connell and her husband, Emmett. He is survived by his sisters, Loretta and her husband, Henry Magnan, of Fairfield, Kathleen, widow of Frederick Connor, of Burlington and Teresa and her husband, John Manahan, of St. Albans and sisters-in-law, Anne Howrigan and Virginia Howrigan of Fairfield as well as many nieces, nephews and their families.
Tom was always greatly appreciative of, and grateful for the countless courtesies offered by so very many assistants, clergy, friends, nurses, patients, pharmacists, physicians, relatives and strangers.
There will be no calling hours. In lieu of flowers, those who wish to memorial contributions are asked to consider the Fairfield Scholarship Fund, c/o Joy Kane, 3254 Lapland Road, East Fairfield, Vermont 05448 or the VT Right to Life Committee, P.O. Box 1079, Montpelier, Vermont 05601.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, January 4, 2014, at 11:00 A.M. in St. Patrick's Church, Church Road in Fairfield. Interment will be next spring in St. Patrick's Catholic Cemetery. Please visit www.healdfuneralhome.com to leave a private message to the Dr. Howrigan’s family.