Amherst----Thomas "Tom" Richard Kivela passed away on July 2, 2011, in the comfort of his home surrounded by his loving family after a long courageous battle with cancer.
Tom was born on October 11, 1950 to Dorothy (Beckman) and John Kivela in Marquette, Michigan. He had resided in Amherst, NH for the past 22 years.
Tom graduated from Michigan Tech in 1973, with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. He began his career with Kodak in Rochester, N.Y. His career included 2 assignments in Hong Kong. Later in his career, Tom used his extensive management and overseas experience to co-found Asia Connections of Burlington, Mass.
Tom was devoted to spending his time with his family, joyfully welcoming his first granddaughter, Lawson, in February of this year. He also took pride in viewing 3 Space Shuttle launches.
He is survived by his loving wife of 39 years, Margaret (Dunn); daughter, Courtney Robinson, & her husband, Bailey; granddaughter, Lawson; daughter, Kimberly Lennon, & her husband, Mark ; son, Thomas Kivela, Jr., and son at heart, Brad Deans. He is also survived by brothers, David, and his wife, Libby, Bruce and his wife, Sandy; brother-in-law, Jim Dunn, and his wife, Nan; sister-in-law, Maureen, and numerous nephews and nieces.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society to support Tom's daughter, Kimberly, on her run to cure cancer. See link below...http://pages.teamintraining.org/ma/maine11/klennonyks Checks can also be made out to "The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society" and sent to LLS, 9 Erie Drive, Natick, MA 01760. Please include a note in memory of Thomas Kivela to ensure your donation will go towards Kimberly's fundraising.
Receiving of the body will take place from 9:00-10:00AM on Wednesday, July 6, 2011 at. Ste. Marie Parish, 378 Notre Dame Ave., Manchester, N.H. A Funeral Mass of Christian Burial to celebrate Tom's life will follow at 10:00AM also at Ste. Marie Parish.
Burial will follow in the family lot in Meadow View Cemetery, Amherst, N.H.
The Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 164 Pleasant St, Laconia, N.H. is assisting the family. For more information and to view an online memorial go to www.wilkinsonbeane.com.