Thomas J. (TJ) Cloutier

SOUTH PORTLAND - Thomas J. (TJ) Cloutier, of So Portland, ME passed away from a rare form of lung cancer on Tuesday April 23rd, in his home surrounded by his loving family. TJ was born in Rumford, ME on February 27th 1935 to Omer "Jack" Cloutier and Barbara McDermott Cloutier and was one of five children. He attended St. Dominic's grammar school, was a graduate of Cheverus High School and attended college on the G.I. Bill. TJ was an accomplished businessman and devout Catholic who dedicated his life to his faith, family, friends and his business. Early in his finance career he was named president of the Portland Lender's Exchange. He also served in the United States Air Force for four years during the Korea War. Other highlights of his business career included serving on the Southern Maine Postal Customer Council, ten years on the board of directors as MSGA Vice President, twice on the board of directors of the Purpoodock club, and also five years on the board of directors for Cheverus High School. TJ was founder of two Maine Companies: DMM, Inc (previously known as Direct Mail of Maine) where he served as President CEO after retiring as Chairman of the Board in 2006 and the McDermott, LLC, a real estate holding company located in Southern Maine. TJ was a family man and a devout Catholic. He married Rita Napolitano in 1960. They resided in South Portland with their seven children, a daughter and six sons, for most of his life. He and Rita attended daily Mass together as they had a great devotion to their faith. In the 1960's he taught religious education at Holy Cross School. TJ also had a great love of literature and was a voracious reader. He was very fond of mysteries, history and Irish literature. He also had a reputation as an avid golfer with a single digit handicap most of his life. At the age of sixty-two he came down with Rheumatoid Arthritis and he didn't play for five years. But as soon as they found a treatment for him, he started walking and was back to playing nine holes a day. In the fall of 2012, after a round of golf, he entered the kitchen and his wife Rita asked him how his day was, to which he replied, "I Shot my age today. It was a good day." TJ was a former member of the Purpooduck club in Cape Elizabeth, ME where he took his six boys to play growing up; but his favorite course was Prouts Neck in Scarborough, ME. He also enjoyed Hammock Bay, off Marco Island, Florida where he wintered and played for twenty-five years. TJ had a great love of his Irish heritage and traveled to Ireland many times. In 1986, he and his brother Kevin went to visit their mother's family, the McDermott's. On the trip they played the famous Ballybunion Golf Course in county Kerry. TJ was invited to join and became a lifetime member. He also became a lifetime member at Christy O'Connor's Course in Galway Bay. This was the region where his family was from in the "Connemara Isle" and summer home of the great Irish Patriot, Padraic Pearse who he enjoyed reading about. TJ's outgoing personality and quick witted humor earned him many friends that lasted for his lifetime. TJ became very fond of the people of Ireland and they became very fond of him. He loved the rugged beauty of the country, their literature, the stories told, and was always ready for a round of banter when challenged. His mother advised him on his first trip not to try and buy everyone a drink. She told him that the custom was that they would buy him one first then he could return the favor. On his first visit, TJ was having lunch with the starter of the Ballybunion Golf Course, Tony Costello, who became his close friend. Tony bought a round and TJ watched his brandy until it was almost finished saying, "may I now buy you a drink? To which his friend replied, "No thank you Tom, you see, I must be on the first tee in thirty minutes. But so as not to embarrass you - I will have just one more!" TJ helped form the "Emerald Challenge Cup" which was an annual Golf tournament played for thirty years with his close friends David Miley, Al Carroll, Ralph Deangelis and Sam Haddad. The tournament was successful year after year and is in its thirtieth year of competition. Over the past ten years, TJ traveled with his family to Italy several times and developed a love for Sienna. He loved the vineyards, tasting Italian wines and visiting the great renaissance churches to attend daily Mass. In the last few years he also enjoyed his weekly lunches at local restaurants with his faithful friends: Tim Murphy, Bill Melaugh, Sunny Fasulo, Bud Deangelis and his nephew Robert Napolitano. TJ is survived by his wife of fifty-three years, Rita A. Cloutier and their seven children: Theresa A. Cloutier, Robert J. Cloutier and his wife Leanne, Thomas A. Cloutier and his wife Bridget, Michael M. Cloutier and his wife Michele, Mark M. Cloutier and his wife Sally, John V. Cloutier and his wife Melissa, Joseph Cloutier and seventeen grandchildren. Relatives and friends are invited to attend a time of visitation on Thursday, April 25th, 2013 from 3:00pm to 7:00pm, at Conroy-Tully and Crawford Funeral Home at 1024 Broadway, South Portland, ME. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Friday April 26th at 1:00pm at Holy Cross Church, Corner of Cottage Road and Broadway in So Portland. Burial will follow in New Calvary Cemetery with Military Rites.Online condolences may be expressed below.