Thomas Richard Flood Obituary (1956

Cape Elizabeth-Thomas Richard Flood passed away peacefully early Tuesday morning February 8, 2022 at home after a long and courageous battle with esophageal cancer. His loving wife, Pat McBride, was by his side to comfort him. Tom was born September 18, 1956 in Holden, Massachusetts, the eldest son of the late Richard Thomas and Fay Aileen (Dickson) Flood. Tom with his parents and brother Gary lived in Boylston, MA. through 4th grade. Together they moved to Fay's hometown of Barre, MA where Tom graduated from Quabbin Regional High School in 1974. A student at Westfield State College for three years, he majored in Elementary Education. It was here that he was introduced to Pat, through mutual friends, on St. Patrick's Day, 1976. After a long-distance relationship lasting a year, Tom moved to Boston to be closer to Pat. He was employed at the Marvin Kaplan Insurance Agency in Brookline, MA. Tom and Pat were married in Brookline, MA on Kentucky Derby Saturday, 5/6/78. Tom always kidded Pat that she picked that date so he would never forget their anniversary. As Tom would share, because of the blizzard of '78 and "wanting out of that weather" along with his desire to make a good life for them, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in August. After basic training, Pat joined him at Sheppard Air Force Base, TX where he attended Telecommunications Specialist training. His first assignment was Charleston Air Force Station in Charleston, Maine. They made their home in Bangor, Maine. His next assignment was also a radar station, part of Eglin Air Force Base in Florida. He received an honorable discharge in 1982. With their love of Maine, Tom and Pat chose to settle in the Portland area in July 1982. Tom pursued a business degree by attending night classes as a full-time student at Westbrook College while working full-time in the Personal Lines department at Turner Barker Insurance. Tom graduated in 1985 with a B.S. in Business Administration, accounting concentration, and went on to earn his CPA license in 1987. Tom enjoyed working at two regional CPA firms before joining Albin Randall & Bennett (ARB) in Portland. He always felt blessed to have spent 36 years doing what he loved. He retired in June 2021. Tom was highly regarded as a Tax Accountant and beloved by his colleagues and clients. Tom took great pride in his business accomplishments. He was a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and served on the Advisory Board of Trustees for the Master's Program at Thomas College. While working as a CPA, he was awarded his Master of Science Degree in Taxation from Bentley College in 1991. In 1996, he earned his Licensed Certified Financial Planner certificate through the College for Financial Planning in Denver, CO. Baseball and classic cars were Tom's passions. Some of his favorite childhood memories were of the days he spent playing baseball with his dad and friends at Felton Field in Barre. He was a member of the Quabbin Regional High School baseball team. When living in Boston near Fenway, Red Sox games were a favorite date spot for Tom and Pat. Tom always read the baseball stories, watched the sports shows and enjoyed talking baseball. Cruising along the Maine coast is how he and Pat liked to spend the sunny weekend days of summer. Their first classic car was a 1956 Oldsmobile Rocket 88. Then they moved up a decade and bought a 1964 Ford Falcon convertible. Tom was a behind the scenes volunteer at the Maine Irish Heritage Center. He worked many nights and weekends cleaning the stained glass windows, mowing the lawn, and doing any task that was asked of him. Tom was the volunteer MIHC accountant for 10 years. Tom's keen interest in genealogy spanned over 25 years. Through his research, he connected with many Scottish and Irish cousins. In 2013, a trip to Ireland with Pat gave him the chance to experience a real taste of the homeland of his Boston Irish ancestors. In 1986, they purchased their Cape Elizabeth home. It was soon after that their first cat joined them and Tom discovered his love of cats. He thoroughly enjoyed his special years with their felines Serena, Maizie and Sydney Snuggles. Sydney was faithfully by his side these past seven months. Tom always took great pleasure in yard work and at-home projects. After retirement, he and Pat found joy in frequent walks through Fort Williams Park. Tom was kind hearted and loyal and his spirit will be forever kindled through his love of Pat and his family and friends. Tom is survived by his wife of 43 years, Patricia McBride; his brother Gary Flood (Peggy Mullen) of Wheelwright, MA, his brother-in-law William McBride (Janine) of Pepperell, MA, his two nieces Elise McBride of Lunenburg, MA and Emily McBride of Pepperell, MA, his five godchildren and many cousins. Arrangements are under the direction of the Conroy-Tully Walker Funeral Home, 1024 Broadway, South Portland, ME. Services will be private for family and will be livestreamed at 12pm on Tuesday, February 15, 2022. To watch the livestream of Tom's funeral please visit www.Facebook.com/conroytullywalker To view Tom's memorial page, or to share an online condolence, please visit www.ConroyTullyWalker.com In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to: Animal Welfare Society's Companions for Life Veterinary care fund, Animal Welfare Society, PO Box 43, West Kennebunk, ME 04094, or Friends of Fort Williams Park, 299 Ocean House Road, Cape Elizabeth, ME 04107, or the charity of your choice.