Thomas G. Tynan Jr. of Southold died May 27, 2026. He was 94 years old.
Born Jan. 11, 1932, in New Haven, Connecticut, he was the son of Thomas G. Tynan and Kathryn McCormack. Due to his father’s business, he moved between Boston and Philadelphia during his school years. He graduated from Newton High School and attended the University of Massachusetts for 2 years. In 1953, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and served in Germany for 2 years. After his discharge, he attended Pennsylvania Military College and graduated in 1958, receiving the economics award. Two weeks after graduation, he married Helen Marie Whitehill, and the couple enjoyed nearly 68 years together.
He and his wife lived in Glenside, Pennsylvania, where they raised their children. His family said he supported and participated in his children’s activities, serving as a starter at AAU swim meets and, with the Boy Scouts of America, serving on the troop committee, as a merit badge counselor and on the Eagle Board of Review. He had a longtime passion for gardening and maintained a large garden, sharing produce with friends and neighbors. He also loved animals and, over the years, had 5 dogs.
He retired from the School District of Philadelphia, where he worked as a systems analyst for the food services division for many years. In retirement, he joined Sandy Run Country Club, where he and his wife enjoyed playing golf. They also played bridge and participated on the club bridge teams.
He spent every summer growing up in Southold, where his grandfather had a home built in 1927. He and his wife and children spent summer vacations and many holidays there, and they purchased the home in 1985. After splitting time between Pennsylvania and New York for many years, they moved permanently to Southold in 2013. He continued gardening in Southold, including maintaining a plot at Charnews Farm with the Peconic Land Trust, and he continued working part of the plot and planting garlic until age 94. He and his wife also continued playing bridge and made many friends through the game. His family said he instilled in his children a love of animals, nature and gardening.
He is survived by his wife, Helen; his sons, Thomas (Kaye) and David (Shirley); his daughters, Kate and Gina; 2 grandchildren; his sister, Mary Andrews; and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his sister Jeanne O’Reilly.
Burial will be private with family at St. Patrick’s R.C. Cemetery in Southold. A celebration of life will be held at a future date. DeFriest-Grattan Funeral Home in Southold is serving the family.
