John “Tom” Thomas Tennett, Sr., 71, died peacefully in his home surrounded by his loving family on January 28, 2022.
Tom treasured his family. He is survived by his devoted wife Nancy, to whom he was married for 51 incredible years, and their three childrenm: Angela Butler of Bangor, Rebecca Bernardin and her husband Paul of Andover, MA, and John Tennett and his wife Shelly of Bangor, as well as 8 grandchildren: Mary Butler-Fleming and her husband Andrew, Katie Butler, Tommy Butler, Nate Bernardin, Sadie Bernardin, Callie Tennett, Trey Tennett, and Alex Tennett.
He is survived by his brother, Danny Tennett and his sister, Margaret Reynolds, his special cousin Priscilla Quinn as well as his brother-in-laws and their wives: Tim and Pam Hackett, Matt and Rachael Hackett, Mark and Sue Hackett and Eddie and Candi Hackett, his sister-in-law Geri Hackett, and their many children whom he loved dearly. Tom was especially close to his niece, Amy LeBlanc, who served as his own personal nurse in his final days at home, and his nephew Brian Hackett, a pharmacist who carefully attended to his medications for many years.
He is predeceased by his parents, Albert and Annette Tennett, his brother Albert “Skip” Tennett, his father and mother-in-law Edward and Mary Hackett, his brother-in-laws Tommy Hackett and Denny Reynolds, and his granddaughter Grace Butler.
Tom was born in Bangor on August 25, 1950 to Albert and Annette Tennett. He attended John Bapst Memorial High School and was a standout 3-sport athlete, graduating in 1968. During his high school years, he met the love of his life, Nancy, who he married on January 16, 1971. He went on to attend the University of Maine, where he earned Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in education. Tom competed in track & field during his time at Maine and was an exceptional high jumper. In 2021, on the 50th anniversary of his graduation, Tom was honored by the University of Maine M Club for his athletic accomplishments.
Tom spent the majority of his career as a teacher and coach at Bangor High School and Brewer High School. In the 1970s, he played an integral role in establishing the vocational education program at Brewer High School, a passion project he continued throughout his career at Bangor High School, even after his formal retirement. Over several decades, he mentored countless students and dedicated the majority of his professional life to cultivating career opportunities at the United Technologies Center.
Tom coached the Bangor girls’ varsity basketball team for 25 years, and was universally admired for his ability to track and calculate the Heal point system that determines rankings for the playoffs. Every summer, Tom looked forward to hosting Bangor Hoops, and could be counted on to bring donuts, popsicles or some other treat for the campers and staff at least once a week.
Tom loved sports and was particularly fond of the New York Giants. During his lifetime, he traveled to many Giants games, always arriving at least two hours early. He once famously persuaded a security guard to let him run the entire length of the field at Giants Stadium, a memory he cherished. Though he attended many professional games in his life, his most favorite sports moments were as a spectator cheering on his children and grandchildren in track & field, soccer, dance, basketball, football, field hockey, gymnastics, hockey, tennis and baseball all across New England and beyond.
Tom also loved to travel. In their retirement, Tom and Nancy adventured to several tropical locations with their dear friends, the Bassis and the Watermans. When he was not traveling, Tom enjoyed his own oasis in his backyard, and spent his summers lounging on a pool float listening to The Beach Boys. He loved grilling and hosting his friends and family around the pool, even instituting an annual 4th of July Tube Race which will be carried on in his honor.
Tom’s devotion to his family, humility, generosity and work ethic were admired by all who knew him. Those who knew Tom knew he never liked to be the center of attention, and in keeping with his wishes there will be an intimate family memorial service.
Services at Brookings-Smith will be private for the family. Relatives and friends are invited to view a Life Tribute of the service, in real time, at 11:00 AM, on Friday, February 11, 2022, on the home page of Brookings-Smith. In lieu of flowers, Tom’s family requests donations be made in his honor to the Tom Tennett Memorial Scholarship Fund, C/O Bangor High School, 885 Broadway, Bangor, ME 04401 or https://bangorhigh.bangorschools.net/donate/tom-tennett-scholarship-fund/ which will benefit Bangor High School students, with preference given to those who attend the United Technologies Center. Condolences to the family may be expressed at BrookingsSmith.com.
Tom’s family extends their sincerest gratitude to the team at the Shapiro Cardiovascular Center at Brigham & Women’s Hospital in Boston, from whom Tom received world class care and a heart transplant in 2014, and the team at St. Joseph HomeCare and Hospice, whose compassion and quick work allowed Tom to pass peacefully in his home in accordance with his wishes.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of John Thomas Tennett, Sr., please visit our flower store.
Tom treasured his family. He is survived by his devoted wife Nancy, to whom he was married for 51 incredible years, and their three childrenm: Angela Butler of Bangor, Rebecca Bernardin and her husband Paul of Andover, MA, and John Tennett and his wife Shelly of Bangor, as well as 8 grandchildren: Mary Butler-Fleming and her husband Andrew, Katie Butler, Tommy Butler, Nate Bernardin, Sadie Bernardin, Callie Tennett, Trey Tennett, and Alex Tennett.
He is survived by his brother, Danny Tennett and his sister, Margaret Reynolds, his special cousin Priscilla Quinn as well as his brother-in-laws and their wives: Tim and Pam Hackett, Matt and Rachael Hackett, Mark and Sue Hackett and Eddie and Candi Hackett, his sister-in-law Geri Hackett, and their many children whom he loved dearly. Tom was especially close to his niece, Amy LeBlanc, who served as his own personal nurse in his final days at home, and his nephew Brian Hackett, a pharmacist who carefully attended to his medications for many years.
He is predeceased by his parents, Albert and Annette Tennett, his brother Albert “Skip” Tennett, his father and mother-in-law Edward and Mary Hackett, his brother-in-laws Tommy Hackett and Denny Reynolds, and his granddaughter Grace Butler.
Tom was born in Bangor on August 25, 1950 to Albert and Annette Tennett. He attended John Bapst Memorial High School and was a standout 3-sport athlete, graduating in 1968. During his high school years, he met the love of his life, Nancy, who he married on January 16, 1971. He went on to attend the University of Maine, where he earned Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in education. Tom competed in track & field during his time at Maine and was an exceptional high jumper. In 2021, on the 50th anniversary of his graduation, Tom was honored by the University of Maine M Club for his athletic accomplishments.
Tom spent the majority of his career as a teacher and coach at Bangor High School and Brewer High School. In the 1970s, he played an integral role in establishing the vocational education program at Brewer High School, a passion project he continued throughout his career at Bangor High School, even after his formal retirement. Over several decades, he mentored countless students and dedicated the majority of his professional life to cultivating career opportunities at the United Technologies Center.
Tom coached the Bangor girls’ varsity basketball team for 25 years, and was universally admired for his ability to track and calculate the Heal point system that determines rankings for the playoffs. Every summer, Tom looked forward to hosting Bangor Hoops, and could be counted on to bring donuts, popsicles or some other treat for the campers and staff at least once a week.
Tom loved sports and was particularly fond of the New York Giants. During his lifetime, he traveled to many Giants games, always arriving at least two hours early. He once famously persuaded a security guard to let him run the entire length of the field at Giants Stadium, a memory he cherished. Though he attended many professional games in his life, his most favorite sports moments were as a spectator cheering on his children and grandchildren in track & field, soccer, dance, basketball, football, field hockey, gymnastics, hockey, tennis and baseball all across New England and beyond.
Tom also loved to travel. In their retirement, Tom and Nancy adventured to several tropical locations with their dear friends, the Bassis and the Watermans. When he was not traveling, Tom enjoyed his own oasis in his backyard, and spent his summers lounging on a pool float listening to The Beach Boys. He loved grilling and hosting his friends and family around the pool, even instituting an annual 4th of July Tube Race which will be carried on in his honor.
Tom’s devotion to his family, humility, generosity and work ethic were admired by all who knew him. Those who knew Tom knew he never liked to be the center of attention, and in keeping with his wishes there will be an intimate family memorial service.
Services at Brookings-Smith will be private for the family. Relatives and friends are invited to view a Life Tribute of the service, in real time, at 11:00 AM, on Friday, February 11, 2022, on the home page of Brookings-Smith. In lieu of flowers, Tom’s family requests donations be made in his honor to the Tom Tennett Memorial Scholarship Fund, C/O Bangor High School, 885 Broadway, Bangor, ME 04401 or https://bangorhigh.bangorschools.net/donate/tom-tennett-scholarship-fund/ which will benefit Bangor High School students, with preference given to those who attend the United Technologies Center. Condolences to the family may be expressed at BrookingsSmith.com.
Tom’s family extends their sincerest gratitude to the team at the Shapiro Cardiovascular Center at Brigham & Women’s Hospital in Boston, from whom Tom received world class care and a heart transplant in 2014, and the team at St. Joseph HomeCare and Hospice, whose compassion and quick work allowed Tom to pass peacefully in his home in accordance with his wishes.
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