Thomas R. Carroll, 76, of Vineyard Haven died on Wednesday, June 1, at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital. He was the beloved husband of Jane Campos Carroll and the devoted father of John, Jim, David, and Mary Carroll. and the brother of William, Leigh, Nancy, Madeleine, and Michael Carroll and Christine Blanthorn.
Having beaten a heart attack, open-heart surgery, bladder cancer, melanoma, diabetes, and a seizure-disorder, he finally succumbed to inoperable pancreatic cancer more than two and a half years longer than normal expectations for someone with his condition.
Both native Islanders, Tom and Jane raised their family in Randolph, suburban Chicago, and Sudbury. They lived in Cambridge before retiring back to the Vineyard in 1998. Tom served in the Army during the Korean War.
Tom worked for the Polaroid Corporation for 36 years, starting as a rate clerk and rising to the position of International Distribution Manager. Upon his retirement from Polaroid, Tom continued to work in domestic and international business as a consultant to Flash Logistics and as the president of Carroll Logistics. Tom will be remembered across the globe for his business acumen, his dedication to his work, and for the humor and wisdom he shared with too many friends and associates to list.
In addition to his wife, Jane, Tom is survived by his daughter Mary of Portland, Ore., and his sons John and his wife, Ann, of Raleigh, N.C., Jim and his wife, Julie Donlon, of Jamaica Plain, and David and his wife, Lisa Yanakakis, of Cambridge. He was the loving grandfather of Erin and Aidan Carroll (Raleigh) and Aristaia and Axelle Yanakakis-Carroll (Cambridge). Tom is also survived by his brothers William, Leigh, and Michael and sisters Nancy, Christine Blanthorn, and Madeleine. He was predeceased by his parents, William and Alexandra (McLellan) Carroll, and his sister Margaret Schultz.
Speaking for his siblings, David Carroll wrote, “Our family has been fortunate to hear from people all over the world, both near and far, over the past few days who were affected by our father’s generous nature. Whether it be sharing his business acumen, heading a crusade to save the Nobska, or just forwarding a good joke, people from as far away as Europe, Asia, and South America wanted us to know our Dad was a good guy.”
His Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated in St. Augustine’s Church in Vineyard Haven on Monday, June 6. Burial followed in Oak Grove Cemetery, Vineyard Haven.
In memory of Tom, the family requests donations to the Martha’s Vineyard Cancer Support Group, Box 2214, Vineyard Haven, MA 02568.
