Thomas S. Wallent, 87, of Southborough, passed away on Thursday, March 13, 2025. Born in Brockton, he was the son of the late Amelia (Gaidis) and Simon Wallent. He was the beloved husband of 62 years to Patricia (Callinan) Wallent.
Tom was honorably discharged at the rank of E4 after 3 years of service with the U.S. Army. While working a full-time job and raising 4 children, he attended Northeastern University at night to earn his bachelor’s degree. Tom was a long-time employee of GTE Laboratories, later known as Verizon.
Tom enjoyed travel, visiting many places around the world, including Arizona, Hawaii, Alaska, the New York Finger Lakes, the Caribbean, and Ireland. He had a passion for exploring caves and loved seeking them out wherever his travels took him. He had a love for photography and won several awards for the photographs he took. Tom had a lifelong fascination with World War II history, tanks, and planes. He also had a deep interest in astronomy and reading. In his younger years, Tom was a member of the Knights of Columbus in Jamaica Plain, a dedicated CCD teacher, and an active supporter of his daughters’ activities and fundraisers. Tom later volunteered for the MetroWest Radio Reading Service, reading for the blind, and with his daughters handing out water to Boston Marathon runners along the route.
Above all, Tom was a loving husband, father, and grandfather. When his daughters were young, Tom drove them and their friends everywhere they needed. In later years, he continued that tradition by doing the same for his grandchildren, never missing an opportunity to show his support at their activities.
In addition to his wife, Tom is survived by four daughters, Janet Marie Soliman and her husband, Ashraf, of Uxbridge, Karen Patricia Monahan and her husband, Patrick, of Hopkinton, Leanne Wallent Maloney and her fiance, James Powers, of Millbury, and Allison Lynne Frechette and her husband, Donald, of Nashua, NH. He also leaves behind his brother, Frank John Wallent and his wife, Louise, of Nashua, NH; many grandchildren, Katherine Soliman, Zachary Umans, Indy Umans, Mandi Buckner, Brandon Maloney, Maria Maloney, Linsey Frechette, Amelia Frechette, Matthew Monahan, Ian Monahan, Noah Monahan, Colin Monahan, Chloe Monahan, and Sara Monahan.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, March 20th from 5:00-8:00 p.m. at Chesmore Funeral Home of Hopkinton, 57 Hayden Rowe St. A funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday, March 21st at 10:00 a.m. at Saint Matthew’s Parish, 26 Highland St in Southborough. Burial will be held privately at a later date at Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Habitat for Humanity, www.habitat.org, or the USO, www.uso.org.
(Photo and Obituary via Chesmore Funeral Home)
