Thomas Burnett Reagan's Obituary
Thomas Burnett Reagan, age 88, passed away after having visited with family and friends on June 14, 2025. He was the oldest of four boys born to Oren and Anne Reagan. As a teenager he excelled at sports influenced by the proximity to the Syracuse University football practice field and basketball arena, Manley Fieldhouse. He attended Syracuse University but did not graduate. This hardened his conviction for his children to attend and graduate from college. He made sure all his children graduated from college.
He married high school classmate Suzanne Martin in 1957 and went on to have three children: Michael, Michelle and Marcia.
After joining the Air Force and training to repair airplanes, the couple moved to Sumter, SC. When his service was completed, they moved back to Syracuse, buying a house close to the couple's parents. In the early days of his career as an Engineer at WCNY TV he helped design and create the first mobile remote TV production truck and worked on Sesame Street. His children were featured in some of the early commercials. He worked as an Electrical Engineer for 22 years at SUNY College of Forestry. The lessons of success through hard work rubbed off on everyone he knew.
Thomas could fix anything. He ran his own part-time business for 21 years where he installed large screen TV's all over CNY. When his son was younger Tom managed the Sherman Park POP WARNER football program and in the off season stored all of the helmets and shoulder pads in their basement. Later he was named head basketball coach for SUNY Environmental Science & Forestry. He looked forward to great adventures visiting his children in Los Angeles and celebrating over holiday meals with brother Joe and Debbie and their family. Thomas was active at St Rose of Lima Church and volunteered with the SPCA, Ferret Farm Rescue and his local voting center.
In June 2000 Tom married second wife, Shawn Smith and lived for 8 years on the St. Lawrence River where he enjoyed watching ship traffic and was involved in the management of the St. Lawrence Seaway for many years.
He was preceded in death by his ex-first wife, Suzanne Martin and his second wife, Shawn Smith; daughter, Michelle Lillestol, and his younger brothers, Paul and Mark. In his later years he enjoyed a wonderful friendship with Brenda Johnson.
Mr. Reagan is survived by his son, Michael (Monica), daughter, Marcia (Kevin) Chaffee, brother, Joe (Debbie), 5 grandchildren and 1 great-grandchild.
A funeral Mass in celebration of Thomas’ life will be held on Friday, June 27, 2025, at 10:00 A.M. in St. Rose of Lima Church 409 S. Main St. North Syracuse, NY. He will be laid to rest in St. Mary’s Cemetery Mausoleum, DeWitt. Calling hours will take place on Thursday, June 26, 2025, from 4:00 – 6:00 P.M. at the THOMAS J. PIRRO JR. FUNERAL HOME 3401 Vickery Rd. (Corner of Buckley Rd.) North Syracuse, NY 13212.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in his name to the CNY SPCA, 5878 E. Molloy Rd. Syracuse, NY 13211.
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