Thomas Richard O'Hearn 72 of Yarmouth Port passed away Friday March 6, 2020 while on vacation in Florida with his beloved wife.

He was the husband of Mary Beth (Holland) O’Hearn for 31 years.

Born in Newport, RI, Tom was the son of the late James and Phyllis (Turner) O’Hearn. He was raised in Narragansett, RI, with his brother Jimmy during the 1950s and was, by all accounts, absolutely rambunctious. Tom channeled those high spirits into sports, playing basketball for the State Champion South Kingston, RI High School (RI Hall of Fame), and for Marianapolis Prep in Thompson, CT. He then went on to be recruited to play football at Michigan State University.

After hanging up his helmet, Tom returned to Rhode Island, following in his father’s footsteps to serve as a Rhode Island State Police Detective. During his 22 years of service, Tom established RI’s first K-9 Narcotic Unit.

When Tom retired from the State Police he began working as a Flight Attendant for United Airlines. Tom got to see the country, and had at least one Miller Lite in every major city across America. He provided his family with the opportunity to explore the world and they shared many adventures.

Tom recently spent several years pursuing his life-long passion of training racehorses. He had a true gift with animals and countless pets that he adored. On an average day, Tom could be found befriending foxes, birds, or bumble bees in his backyard in Yarmouth Port.

Tom met his wife, Marybeth, at Christopher’s Restaurant in Providence, Rhode Island in 1988. The rest is history. They spent 31 fun-filled years together, raising their beautiful daughters, supporting each other’s dreams and sharing small kindnesses. Being a father was one of his life’s proudest accomplishments, and anyone that knew them, knows that the O’Hearns laughed heartily, sang joyously and loved deeply.

Tom liked walks on the Cape’s cranberry bogs, the Boston Red Sox, and rearranging the dishwasher. He knew the words to every song written between 1955 – 1975 and he always sang along. He bought his wife flowers every week, and had the most infectious laugh. He told his girls that he loved them every day. Tom lived 1000 lives in 1. He had a big personality, and an even bigger heart. He was a friend to all.

In addition to his wife, Tom is survived by his cherished daughters, Kaitlin O’Hearn of Los Angeles, CA, and Kara O’Hearn of Boston; his nephew, Seth O’Hearn and family of North Kingston, RI; his father-in-law, Tom Holland of Fort Meyers, FL; the Draves Family of Lamoni, IA; the McDuff Family of Riverside, RI; and countless relatives and friends.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Saturday March 14 in Sacred Heart Chapel, 32 Summer St., Yarmouth Port.

Interment will follow in Woodside Cemetery, Yarmouth Port.

All are invited to visiting hours from 4 to 6 p.m. Friday March 13 in the Hallett Funeral Home, 273 Station Ave., South Yarmouth.

Please consider a donation in his name to Old Friends Equine, a retirement home for Thoroughbreds. www.oldfriendsequine.org.

Marybeth I'm in shock right now. Tom was in my wedding party and we have been friends for years. I can't tell you how sorry I am for your family. We were to meet up this year and play golf and finally meet you and you family. I can hardly speak. I hope he is at peace.

To Marybeth and family, I would like to express my sincere condolences to you all. Tom had a great personality, a loyal friend and could always count on him for anything. Tom and I first met at the 1974 RISP Agility Test at the Boy's Club in Providence. We went to lunch that day and became great friends. Tom went on the State Police that year. He and I remained great friends. I went on the job in 1980. Marybeth and family, Tom will be missed by all his family and friends but we have great memories forever..

Kara, my sincere condolences to you and your family. What a terrible loss. He sounds like an amazing man who lived an extraordinary life. May the coming days months and years be filled with all the wonderful memories you made together. Wishing you peace.

Marybeth, I am so very, very sorry for your loss. My prayers are with you and your girls. Peggy

Dear Marybeth and family, I am so sorry for your loss. Tom's obituary says it all. He was kind, funny, and a friend to all. He will be missed. I am thinking of you all. Anastasia

Tom came to Rock Harbor, Orleans, MA one summer day in the mid eighties to spend a day on Cape Cod Bay fishing and relaxing when I, an Eastham Police Officer at that time (now retired as Chief of Police) had a side business running a charter boat there when I first met him. He, being a single charter customer went to the charter booth and was assigned to my boat. He, being with a split group soon became the focus of everyone on boards attention, including mine. He was as pleasant and enjoyable a man to be around as anyone could be. Tom came up to the bridge and we sat and talked, not so much about policing, but life in general. I'll never forget that day and the time we spent together, just talking. He returned to visit later that summer and presented me with a Rhode Island State Police sweatshirt which I still have to this day. After police work I read about all the things he accomplished in his tribute, what most of us refer to as a "bucket list". Well Tom, you've done more than most of us will ever do during your short time on this earth. My sincerest and heartfelt condolences to his wife Marybeth and the entire O'Hearn family and know that at an appropriate time I will buy, hoist, and enjoy a Miller Lite in Tom's memory. Tom will be missed by all the people who got to know him, myself included. Rest in peace brother, you left us to soon. Rick Hedlund (Eastham, MA P.D. ret.)

Tommy and I first met working at Home Depot in Hyannis in May 2013. We soon became good friends. We worked together at Hy Line Cruises, where our friendship continued to grow. Over the years we spent time pheasant, quail, and duck hunting, which he loved. He was a true best friend for life and I, like everyone who knew and loved him, will miss him greatly. I will always think of Tommy as a best friend and remember the good times we had together. Rest in eternal peace Tommy.

WOW! Does not seem possible? I remember seeing Tom on a flight and asked why he was dressed like an airline attendant? Because I am one he responded. I looked at him and said," But you are way to FAT to walk down these isles." I remember sitting on his parents living room floor as dad, Jim, played 8 mm films of the past football games on Lambert Street. Sorry to see him pass because life was always fun when one ran into him. Rest in peace with a cold beer and your animal friends by your side.

Tommy: I'm very sure that Heaven will have to get used to the new level of fun and laughter you'll provide when you burst on their scene.. you certainly lit up our lives while you were here....yule yule yule!!!

My sincere condolences to the O'Hearn Family, May God lighten the burden of sadness and sorrow. May all the good memories overflow your hears with smiles. May you RIP, my old friend.

I am so sorry to hear about Tom. He always had a smile on his face and always fun to be with. My heart goes out to you and your family.

I was so sorry to hear of Tom’s passing. I was a couple of years ahead of him in high school. He was such a nice guy....my heartfelt sympathy to the entire family

He was one of a kind. Gerry Donovan RISP #45, Class of '72 Portsmouth Abbey '65

To the O’Hearn Family: I am sorry for your loss. Tom worked with me while he was in the Detective Division. May God bless you and I will say a pray for Tom and may he Rest In Peace. My thoughts are with you. Bill Eckert Retired Det Lt RI State Police

RIP Tom. I didn't follow you after high school at SKHS, but whoever wrote your obituary laid it all out in detail. You led a perfectly full life and I'm sure you will be missed by family and friends. My condolences to all who knew you. Hopefully I'll see you again someday. Until then, I remain your fellow classmate. Paulette

I send my sincerest condolences to Toms family. We met in the early ‘80s when I dated his brother Jim. Both great guys with stories aplenty and laughter in abundance. The world is a lesser place without them in it. Heaven is rocking now!

Marybeth and Family, Please accept my heartfelt condolences on Tom's passing. Tom and I were classmates at the 1974 RI State Police Academy. That twelve week Academy passed by more quickly because of Tom's great personality and his gift of making fifteen recruits laugh out loud. Warmest regards, Bruce Bowie

To Marybeth and family, I am so very sorry for the shocking loss of your husband and father. It sounds like Tom sure had a life filled with lots of experiences, travels, and joys. A life well-lived. Know that you and he family are in my thoughts and prayers. Wishing you all love and support and continued faith. Blessings!