August 14, 1953 – October 5, 2026
Thomas Charles McInally, known to all as Tom, passed away at home in Oxnard, California, on October 5, 2026, after a long battle with cancer. He was 73.
Tom was born in Maracaibo, Venezuela, on August 14, 1953, to Thomas and Florence McInally and was raised in Ventura, CA. Tom was a proud alum (class of ’75) of Saint Mary’s College in Moraga, CA. During his time at Saint Mary’s, Tom took his love of music to the airwaves and served as a radio DJ for KSMC. Tom maintained close friendships with a group of college buddies and met weekly to play cards up until his death. After college, Tom had a short stint driving tow trucks in Oakland before starting his 30 year professional career in project management within the pharmaceutical industry. This career shift brought Tom back down south, this time to Long Beach. The family eventually moved to Anaheim Hills where Tom and Lauren raised their daughters until the early aughts when they moved to Texas. Tom and Lauren made their way back to CA after their daughters all graduated from college and Tom devoted his remaining 15 years to touting the beautiful So Cal weather in attempts to get any or all daughters to move back as well.
Tom loved baseball his entire life and spent many years in the 90’s coaching his daughters’ softball teams. He played slow pitch softball until his late 50’s and loved cheering on his favorite MLB teams.
In retirement, he gave his time to local organizations, including the Channel Islands Neighborhood Council where he worked on projects to improve water quality in the Channel Islands Harbor.
Tom was a huge presence in every room he entered. He commanded attention, spoke his mind, and never worried about what others thought of him. He was unapologetically himself, and people loved him for it.
Above all, he treasured time with his family. After raising three daughters it is almost fitting that Tom was blessed with three grandsons. Tom loved spending time with his grandsons and was grateful to share his love of trains and boats with all three of them.
Tom is survived by his wife of 41 years, Lauren Syarto McInally; his daughters, Lindsey Penikas (Andrius), Erin McInally (Frank), and Kathryn Hardey (Patrick); his grandsons, William, Henry, and Finlay; and his siblings, Jennifer Artiles, Stephen McInally, and Gregory McInally. He was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas and Florence McInally, and his brother, Matthew.