On September 8th, 2024, Thomas Gerard McOsker (67) passed away unexpectedly at home. He is remembered for his gentle nature, wonderful sense of humor, incredible gift of knowledge, tremendous love of family, penchant for languages, and enduring care for all who knew him.

Tom was born in Lowell, MA on March 23rd,1957 to proud parents (the late) Fredrick L. and Joan T. McOsker. He grew up there as a beloved brother of four (surviving) siblings; Joanne Duggan (Thomas) of Chelmsford MA, Brenda Dupras of Lowell, MA, Frederick McOsker of Hudson, NH, and Martha Dean (Jeffrey) of Georgetown, MA.

At Lowell High School he was celebrated for his accomplishments both on and off the field, setting offensive and defensive records as #10 for the Lowell Football team, following in his father's footsteps as a catcher for the baseball team, and breaking even more records as a star track athlete. He was a leader in his community and a tutor at Immaculate Conception. His Coach, Joe Polak, summarized Tom's essence in his quote to the Lowell Sun newspaper "I just can't say enough about this kid…he's what you would want your own kid to be. Unassuming and quiet but with tremendous dedication and determination to get the job done no matter what it is."

Tom took this spirit to the College of the Holy Cross, where he later traded his football jersey for #26 on the lacrosse field, quickly ranking as an All-American lacrosse "long pole" midfielder and, perhaps unknowingly, solidifying his life's passion to prevent and heal head trauma.

Upon graduating with an outstanding academic record in 1979, Tom moved to Cleveland, OH to pursue a Master of Arts in Speech and Language Pathology at Case Western Reserve University, where he met his loving wife (surviving) of 44 years Cynthia McOsker of Cape Elizabeth, ME. Tom and Cindy married in 1980 at the Riverside Presbyterian Church in Niagara Falls, NY where she grew up. He graduated with Honors in 1981, publishing a dissertation which would soon direct his career path and ignite a passion for lifelong learning in the field of neurology.

Shortly after graduating, Tom and Cindy's work led them to Maine, where they found a home together near the ocean. Tom's career grew in magnitude over the years. His colleagues described his presence as "always everywhere," and heralded his knack for creative integration of his academic knowledge. Tom was well-known in clinical circles for establishing new and fun ways to connect with patients, individualizing care to improve the reformation of neural networks in patients struggling to regain speech and language following injuries. Tom was often published, nationally referenced, and spoke regularly at conferences and professional events. He was a natural leader and proud of his last position as Clinical Director at New England Rehabilitation Hospital in Portland, ME.

At home, first in Cape Elizabeth and then in South Portland, Tom and Cindy raised their three (surviving) children - Thomas Ryan McOsker of Maine and Puerto Rico, Ashley Dawn Picoraro (Jeffrey) of New Gloucester, ME, and Bryce Marshall McOsker (Kayla) of Swampscott, MA. Tom loved his children deeply and eagerly shared his passions with them, including his personal research endeavors in biofeedback. He packed the family into their red Jeep Cherokee for whimsical road trips to see the country, flew them to the beaches of Cindy's favorite destination St John USVI, and encouraged his children to travel and study widely. He hosted neighborhood Superbowl parties, and most certainly made sure his kids could throw a football. He showed up for dance recitals, musicals, award ceremonies and sports events and even kick-started a mini-lacrosse league during the family's short move to Florida.

Personally, Tom had a passion for gardening and was a fixer-of-all-things. As a self-taught carpenter he constructed the family camp on Frye Island, ME and over the years turned two historic houses, on Sawyer and Scamman streets, into beautiful homes where he and Cindy raised their family. Tom found his peace on the water and loved to kayak Sebago Lake and boat Casco Bay. Perhaps his main vice was his love of an "ice-cold coca cola." Tom was quick to pretend he was not a "pet person," a position quickly dispelled when the family discovered that he had secretly taught the family bird Sadie to speak in rhythmic song. Since then, and over the past 13 years, he enjoyed the companionship of and love for their Maltese therapy dog Dewey.

From the moment of his first grandchild's birth in 2016, Tom was proud to be a grandfather and energetically looked forward to any time that he could spend with his grandkids. During his life, he was blessed to welcome Milo (8), Isla (5) and Wesley (2) (Ashley and Jeff Picoraro) and Fynn (4), Cleo (2) and Hugo (7mo) (Bryce and Kayla McOsker) into the world. Grampy/Gramps playfully challenged their minds, taught them amusing games, flew kites, threw kid parties, hosted family holidays, swam in the lake, played sports, and ran races with them. Above all, Tom's children enjoyed how much the grandchildren brought out his contagious and unforgettable laugh.

Thomas Gerard McOsker was a man who you were lucky to know, happy to be around, and missed when he was away.

He was a loving husband, dedicated father, adoring grandfather, admired son, beloved brother, masterful student, formidable athlete, dependable colleague, compassionate caregiver, calming friend, and a truly beautiful soul. His memory will forever live on in the hearts of the many people he touched. For all those, he would want you to know that you are doing a GOOD JOB.