Thomas A. Penney

Thomas Allan Penney, husband, father, and grandfather, passed away on October 9th, 2019. Tom was born to John George Penney and Marjorie Louise (Higgins) Penney in Sanford, Maine on November 27, 1934. His childhood was spent exploring woods and waters, with some of his favorite times at camp on Lambert Lake. Tom joined the Army in 1954 and not long after met Carol Jane Ludlum, a student at Nasson College. Tom and Carol married in 1957, and shortly after Tom was posted to Nuremberg, Germany. Carol went with and their two sons were born there; Thomas Allan Jr in December 1958 and David Wayne in June 1960. Shortly after Dave's birth, the family returned to the US and settled in Gorham, ME. Tragedy struck the family in 1963 when Allan died after a respiratory illness. Grief stricken, Tom and Carol forged ahead; leaving Gorham when they purchased a mobile home park in Lebanon, ME (which they would own and manage for over 30 years). In September 1968, Carol and Tom were blessed with a daughter, Susan Carol. Sue's laughter and smile helped ease the pain of Allan's death and brought new joy to their home. Tom was an active member of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America. He trained in various specialties including the millwright work he performed from 1983 until he retired. He was also an avid rockhound, exploring the mountains of New Hampshire and Maine looking for minerals and rare gems. Game hunting and fishing were also hobbies he loved as they took him into nature with his family and friends. In the 1980's Tom built a home for the family that was ahead of its time with alternative technologies, including passive and active solar and other features not yet common. The home was built primarily by the family and Tom was proud of the ingenuity. Tom was a creative and determined man; even in his last few months he was still working on projects. In the late 90's, Tom and Carol wandered north to the Maine mineral belt looking for their retirement home, but before they were able to enact this dream, Carol lost her 2-year battle with ovarian cancer. Her death was difficult for Tom, as they were planning the next phase of their retirement. Tom's most recent years were spent in Rumford Corner, ME, which is where he met Jeanette Coolidge, who became his companion for 17 years. Tom and Jeanette traveled and shared adventures together until her death in 2018. Tom was known for his friendly smile, firm handshake, and endless stories riddled with dry humor and wit. Tom was preceded in death by his wife, Carol Jane (Ludlum) Penney, his first son Allan, and his brother John G Penney Jr. He is survived by a brother, Gilbert Weston Penney, a sister Louise Khiel; two children, David and Susan; two grandchildren, Elizabeth (Ellie) Jane Penney, and John Alan Penney.Memorial services will be held November 16, 2019 at Carll-Heald & Black Funeral Home at 580 Main St, Springvale, ME. Family and friends are invited to gather at the funeral home beginning at 10am, funeral service will begin at 11am, and a graveside interment will follow immediately at the Evergreen Cemetery in Alfred, ME.To leave a message of condolence for the family please visit www.blackfuneralhomes.com.