Thomas Francis Meagher, 92, of Burr Ridge, formerly of Hinsdale, died Nov. 21, 2022.
Tom was born in Chicago (Rogers Park) and attended St. Timothy's Grade School, St. George High School (Evanston) and St. Mary's College (now St. Mary's University) in Winona, Minn., where he met his wife, Mona. Upon graduating in 1953, they married, and Tom served in the U.S. Marine Corps and obtained the rank of captain.
Tom's career began with Sears and American Airlines management training programs. He later worked for and became president of Continental Air Transport bus company (owned by Checker Motor Co.), which served Chicago's hotels and airports. While in that role, Mayor Richard J. Daley asked him to become the first president of the Chicago Convention and Tourism Bureau (now known as Choose Chicago). After serving in that position, he returned to Continental Air Transport as CEO and led the purchase of Continental from Checker Motors. Years later, he sold his interest in Continental and purchased Howell Tractor and Equipment Co. and PGC Golf Carts in Stuart, Fla. Tom also served on many charitable boards, including Mercy Hospital, Catholic Charities and The 100 Club of Cook County (now Illinois) and he was a founding member of Special Children's Charities. He also served on many corporate boards, including TWA, Greyhound Corp., UNR Industries, The PrivateBank, Inland American Real Estate Trust, Edward Lowe Foundation, St. Mary's University, Illinois State Toll Authority and DuPage Airport Authority.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Mona L. Meagher, nee Carens; and his daughter, Julie Anne Meagher.
He is survived by his children, Constance (Douglas) Cole, Thomas (Diane) Meagher Jr., Michael (Peggy) Meagher and Terence Meagher; his grandchildren, Ian (Jordan) and MacKinzie Cole, T.F. (Liz), Mathias and Michael Meagher, and Meghan and Ryan Meagher; and his great-grandchildren, Theodore, Sabrina, Thomas IV, Mathias Jr., Eden, Ian Jr. and Rockwell.
A funeral Mass was held Nov. 30 at St. Isaac Jogues Church in Hinsdale.
Interment was private.
Memorials may be made online to Lt. Thomas F. Meagher, C.P.D. Scholarship at St. Mary's University of Minnesota at https://connect.smumn.edu/donate; Catholic Charities at http://www.catholiccharities.net or The 100 Club of Illinois at http://www.100clubil.org.
Sullivan Funeral Home in Hinsdale handled the arrangements.
