Tom Northey Sr., a longtime resident of Fernandina Beach, Fla. passed away peacefully January 12, 2019 at the age of 97.
Born in 1921, Tom was a war veteran, serving his country in active military status for 20 years, first in the United States Navy and then the United States Coast Guard. He saw combat in both World War II and Korea and was honorably discharged in 1960. He was awarded a Purple Heart, a National Defense Service medal and two Good Conduct awards.
He moved with his family to Fernandina Beach in 1962 and was employed as an air traffic controller with the Federal Aviation Administration in Jacksonville, Fla., until his retirement in 1980. Tom was active in Amelia Island Special Olympics and loved to “dabble” in local politics. He appreciated the beauty and history of Amelia Island and was an avid fisherman and golfer.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 69 years, Gertrude “Trudy” Northey, and his grandson, James “Jay” Northey, son of Bobbie Graves Northey.
He is survived by his son, Thomas “Tom” Northey Jr. (Amey), a longtime resident of Amelia Island, and his daughter, Sue Ellen Andrews (Richard) of Brighton, Mich.; his granddaughter, Jill Andrews (Mitchell Dukes) and great-grandson Nathan Dukes of Hamburg, Mich.; his sister, Mary C. Northey of St. Augustine, Fla., and two brothers, Donald Northey of Ormond Beach, Fla., and James Northey of Vero Beach, Fla.
Tom will join his wife and be interred in the Jacksonville National Cemetery with a military funeral to be held at 10 a.m. January 25, 2019. Those attending the service should arrive at the National Cemetery, located at 4083 Lannie Road in Jacksonville, between 9:30 and 10 a.m. and assemble in lane three. The family invites you to lunch after the ceremony at Down Under, 96106 Wade’s Place, Fernandina Beach, to celebrate his life. Please RSVP to swimtech2@bellsouth.net.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Community Hospice and Palliative Care at 4266 Sunbeam Road, Jacksonville, FL 32257 or https://support.communityhospice.com.
Green Pine Funeral Home, Cremations & Cemetery