Thomas William Tobin, affectionately known as “Big Tom,” died peacefully with his wife by his side Aug. 7 at the Brockton Veterans Administration Medical Center with his wife by his side. He was 86.
Tom lived a life defined by courage, strength, and a deep devotion to his family.
Born June 14, 1950 in Ayer, MA to the late Jeane (Girouard) and Capt. Thomas Tobin Sr., he grew up an “Army Brat” living in a number of places before settling in Brockton. In 1968, he graduated from Brockton High School and joined the U.S. Marine Corps and shipped off to Parris Island and then Vietnam. He is the recipient of a Purple Heart for injuries he received serving with the 1st Marine Division, 3rd Battalion, Kilo Company Force Recon.
He is remembered by family and friends as a pillar of strength and unwavering support for his family who enjoyed spoiling his grandchildren and sitting outside with his dog Jenny and working on projects around the house.
He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Nora (Stack) Tobin; daughter Colleen Ranahan and her husband Patrick, of Plymouth; sons Robert Poliseno and his wife Amanda, of Duxbury, Thomas Tobin III of Rockland; daughter Katlyn Tobin-Walker and her husband Michael, of West Wareham; grandchildren Sofia, Liliana, and Billy; sisters Donna Tobin and Laura (Tobin) Dowd, and her husband Rick; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his brother, Michael Tobin.
A memorial service with military honors will be at 10:15 a.m. Friday, Oct. 2, at the Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne.