Thomas “Tom” Bosworth passed away peacefully on November 15, after a brief illness.
Tom was a strong and humble man who began defying fate as an infant. He was born on November 23, 1928, to LeRoy and Gladys (Hall) Bosworth, in housing provided by a paper mill just across the river from Lenox Dale. He was born prematurely at two pounds and three ounces and was swaddled in a blanket inside a shoe box that was nestled near the stove for warmth. Things were so precarious for the infant Tom that a Catholic priest was summoned to perform last rites on him.
That little baby grew up among family in Lee and, most importantly, Lenox Dale, where he went to school and discovered his athletic talents on the sand lots and baseball fields. Tom played basketball and baseball at Lenox High School. He also played baseball with several amateur and semi-pro teams in Lee, Lenox, and Pittsfield.
Upon graduating from high school, Tom joined the Navy in 1946 and served as a bosun’s mate aboard the destroyer USS Bristol. His ship was deployed on peacekeeping missions throughout the Mediterranean Sea for most of his two-year hitch. He also played softball in countries around the Mediterranean on the All-Navy team.
After the Navy, Tom used the benefits of the GI Bill to attend Springfield College. He graduated in 1953 with a degree in Physical Education and a certification as an athletic trainer. Tom also earned his master’s degree in education from the former North Adams State College.
During his time at Springfield, Tom met and wooed the love of his life, Lorita (Rete) Martinelli from Pittsfield. In one fell swoop, the guy from Lenox Dale was immersed in Italian culture, language, traditions, and food! Rete’s Italian parents grew to love Tom as a son who built stone walls, dug clams on Cape Cod, and learned which mushrooms were safe to eat. In fact, Tom became conversant in Italian to strengthen his bond with Rete’s family!
Tom was a teacher, coach, driver education instructor, and athletic trainer in the Lenox School system for many years. He was also the first Resident Director of the Lenox Community Center and was responsible for developing the building and programs that have provided at least three generations of Lenox youth with positive experiences and safe spaces. It was here, at the Community Center and during his roles in the Lenox Schools, that Tom touched so many lives. He never forgot that he came from a very precarious beginning and, through the support of the community in Lenox Dale and the intercession of a few key individuals in his life, was able to overcome the challenges of poverty and family dysfunction to become a productive role model. Tom kept his eye on the kids that had similar challenges and did all he could to help them succeed. He was a father figure for many kids that needed one—and they rewarded Tom with their love and respect.
Tom and Rete celebrated 69 years of marriage this past August. They raised their children, Tim, Shain, and Elissa, at the Community Center and, later, in their home just outside the center of Lenox. They have been blessed with eight grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. Tom was the outstanding father, grandfather, and great-grandfather he never had.
Tom and Rete were a couple madly in love for as long as anyone can remember. During their time together, they enjoyed skiing, tennis, summers at Cape Cod, country music, dancing, and being surrounded by their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Tom’s was a life well-lived, and his legacy survives in the lives of those he raised, taught, coached, taped up, counseled, and loved.
A Liturgy of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, November 21, 2023, at St. Vincent de Paul Church in Lenox Dale, at 11 a.m. Burial will follow in St. Ann’s Cemetery. Calling hours will be held on Monday, November 20, 2023, from 4 to 7 p.m., at St. Ann Church. In lieu of flowers, donations in Tom’s memory may be made to either St. Vincent de Paul Church or Lenox Library Association, both in care of the Roche Funeral Home, 120 Main Street, Lenox, MA 01240. To share memories and stories, please visit the funeral home’s website.
