THOMAS W. STEELE
1921 - 2010

HOLYOKE - Thomas W. Steele, 89, died on Wednesday, December 1, 2010 at the Soldiers'
Home in Holyoke, MA, with his family in attendance. He was born May 6,
1921 in Springfield, MA, the son of Robert and Bessie (Wilkinson) Steele.
After graduating from Rutgers University in 1942, he served in the Navy
during World War II at the Naval Ordnance Laboratory in White Oak,
Maryland. He was instrumental in the improvement of torpedo design,
creating a more reliable weapon for submarine warfare. During his 44 year
career as a mechanical engineer for General Electric at the River Works in
Lynn, MA in the Medium Steam Turbine and Gear Department, he served as the
department head and traveled internationally for GE to investigate and
problem-solve large-machine failures and to share his technical knowledge.
He was a member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers.

On October 19, 1946 he married Minna "Pattie" Randle in Montclair, NJ;
they lived in Beverly, Wenham, and finally retired to Chatham, MA.

He enjoyed woodworking, making and fixing things, metallurgy, as well as
crossword and trivia puzzles; he was also an avid sailor and
tennis-player. Many hours of his free time were devoted to community,
church, and civic activities including being School Committee member and
chairman, as well as being a driver of the "B" bus for seniors in
Chatham.

He is survived by his wife Pattie; children Catherine Steele of Brunswick,
ME; Meredith McCarran of Amherst, MA; and Alan Steele of Wellesley, MA;
and five grandchildren. He was predeceased by his brother Robert and
sister Nancy.

Services will be held at the convenience of the family. In lieu of
flowers, donations in Tom's name may be made to the Alzheimer's
Association or the American Heart Association.