Thomas J. Spellman Jr.

Thomas J. Spellman, Jr., “Tom” age 84, of St. James, NY and Naples, FL, died peacefully at home surrounded by his loving family on September 10, 2023, in New York following an illness. He was born on November 11, 1938, and spent his early years in Manhasset, New York where he attended St. Mary’s High School and curated his lifelong sense of humor by cracking jokes for his classmates just outside of earshot of the Brothers who taught him. Manhasset was also the place he met the love of his life, Margaret “Boots” Spellman who showed him around Lord & Taylor as he began a summer job there. “He asked me out shortly after he started working” Margaret recalled. “He took me out on a wonderful date and after that we were a couple” added Margaret. Tom went on to attend Fordham University, graduating both college and law school. Fordham and the Jesuits helped form his lifelong Roman Catholic faith and devotion to daily Mass and the Eucharist. He graduated from the evening division of Fordham Law, holding a variety of positions, ranging from service on a ship to U.S. mail carrier to advertising professional with Ted Bates, as he pursued his education. He also proudly served as a Captain in the U.S. Army in the Armored (Tank) Division. The diversity of positions he held and people he met along the way propelled his success as an attorney. He had a natural charm about him that attracted people and a strong passion for achieving justice for his clients. He founded and led a very successful law firm, Devitt Spellman Barrett, LLP where he practiced until his 75th birthday. He also generously gave his time to the profession through his service on the Suffolk County Bar Association as a member of the Grievance Committee, a member of the House of Delegates for the 10th Judicial District and as President, helping to locate and build the current site for the Suffolk County Bar Association. Following his legal career he retired, splitting his time between his homes in NY and Florida where he was a fan of the performing arts and fine dining. He also loved the sun, the beach and the company of good friends as a long-time member of his beloved Swordfish Beach Club in Westhampton Beach, NY. He is survived by his cherished and devoted wife of 61 years Margaret, his children: sons Thomas J. Spellman III (Courtney) and Kevin M. Spellman (Katie), daughter Maura N. Kieran (Mike), and his grandchildren: Kevin Spellman, Jr. (Christina Morrison), Lindsay Brocki (Michael), Betsy Spellman, Patrick Spellman, Owen Spellman, Brendan Spellman, Declan Spellman, Liam Kieran and Meredith Kieran, and many nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his parents Thomas and Martha Spellman, his sisters Dorothy Spellman and Susanne Klenk, his grandson Will Spellman and his niece, Linda Morris. A funeral Mass is planned for Thursday, September 14, 2023, at 10:15 am at Sts Philip and James, R.C. Church in St. James, NY. Viewing will be at the Branch Funeral Home in Smithtown, NY on September 13, 2023, from 2-5 pm and from 7-9 pm.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Tom’s memory to the American Lung Association at http://lung.org or Sts Philip and James RCC 1 Carow Pl, St James, NY 11780.