Brunswick – Thomas Ames Black, 77, of 467 Woodside Road, former owner of Black’s Hardware died May 31, 2019, at home surrounded by his family.

He was born in Brunswick October 9, 1941, the son of T. James (Jim) Black and Catherine (Kay) Ames Black. He grew up on Coffin Street and spent summers at the family cottage at Mere Point. He loved the ocean and was happiest cruising on his boat in Casco Bay and beyond. After graduating from Brunswick High School in 1959, he went on to study at Tilton Academy. From there he furthered his studies at the University of New Hampshire, Boston University, and the University of Maine at Portland, now the University of Southern Maine. Tom married Karen Margaret Kerrigan in Brunswick on November 24, 1979.

He was president and treasurer of Black’s Hardware Company of Brunswick and Freeport from 1972 – 1985. During that time he was chairman of the Better Business Committee, president of the Chamber of Commerce, president of Rotary Club, chairman of the Brunswick Area United Way’s 1976 annual campaign, served on the Brunswick Military Affairs Council and the Board of Directors of Learning Land, Riverview Day Care Center, and the Brunswick Chapter, American Red Cross Society. He was also active in other community activities, including the Downtown Improvement Committee and the Brunswick Codes Review Committee. Tom was always an advocate of community service, believing that to live in a community one must give of self to see it flourish.

After selling Black’s Hardware on Maine Street, Tom ventured into sales and property management, working for Pejepscot Associates, Coldwell Banker, Gleason Property Management, and Courtyard Rental Management. He then became a field representative for Maine Forest Heritage Coalition, and from 2001 – 2003 served as Sergeant-at- Arms for the State of Maine Senate.

Throughout his life, Tom was an avid tennis player. He played 4 years of high school varsity tennis, and toured the New England Tennis Association Circuit during the summers. He was a competitive singles player most of his adult life, and up until October 2018, he played doubles with his tennis buddies once or twice a week at Bowdoin College. Tom was a huge sports fan. He loved the Boston Bruins, the New England Patriots, and the New York Giants.

Tom was a member of St. Charles Borromeo Church, All Saints Parish, where he served as a beloved usher/greeter for many years. When asked what he would like to be remembered for, he said he would like to be remembered for being a good person.

Survivors include Karen Kerrigan Black, his loving and devoted wife of almost 40 years, a daughter Kerry Black Lyons and husband Christopher of Monroe, NC, a son Thomas Ames Black (Tab) of Brunswick, ME, and two grandchildren, Ashlyn Black Williams and husband Jeremy of Jacksonville, NC, and Benjamin Thomas Black of Brunswick, ME. He is survived by a brother James Chipman Black (Chip) and wife Patricia, niece Elizabeth Black Shortsleeve (Betsy) and husband Connor, their children Taylor, Kathryn, and Jacqueline, nephew Kent Black and wife Lisa, their children Colby and Carter, and niece Daphne Black Brenner, her children Heidi and Brooke. He is also survived by sister and brother-in-law Kathleen Kerrigan and Edward Horstmeyer of Chester, CT, brother-in-law Kim Kerrigan and partner Steve Wells of Boston, MA, sister-in-law Mary Kerrigan, her children Laura, Theresa, Margaret, and Susan of Rockledge, FL, and many other family members and friends who brought Tom tremendous joy.

Friends and family may visit 4 – 7 PM Thursday, June 6, 2019, at the Brackett Funeral Home, 29 Federal Street, Brunswick, ME. A funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday, June 7, 2019, at St. Charles Borromeo Church, 132 Mckeen Street, Brunswick, ME. The family requests donations be made in Tom’s memory to Oasis Free Clinics, 66 Baribeau Drive, Suite 5B, Box 1, Brunswick, ME, or to St. Charles Borromeo Church, All Saints Parish, 132 Mckeen Street, Brunswick, ME. To leave a note of condolence or share a memory please visit, www.brackettfh.com.

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