WESTFIELD – John F. Tuohey, 90, of Westfield died peacefully September 19th at Noble Hospital in Westfield after a short Illness. A lifelong resident of Westfield, he will be remembered as a loving husband and caring father and for his quiet strength of character. John was born in 1927 to Agnes (O’Hare) and John F. Tuohey Sr. of Westfield. He left high school at the age of 17 to enlist in the U.S. Navy, delaying his year of graduation to 1947. In the Navy he served aboard the USS Euryale in the South Pacific until his honorable discharge in 1946. Upon returning to Westfield John joined the Westfield Police Department in 1951 and continued to work as a patrolman until 1956. After that time he began a 30-plus year career with the United States Postal Service until his retirement in 1989. Throughout his life, John was a devout Catholic and member of Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Parish for some 60 years. He served his church as a Eucharistic Minister and Senior Altar Server. He was also a member of the Holy Name Society. John was also active in American Legion Post 124 where he served as the 42nd Post Commander in 1961. On Memorial Day 2016, he was honored as a 70-year member of the Legion. He also volunteered with the American Cancer Society. John enjoyed traveling with his wife Ursula, making several trips to Europe and to locations across the United States. But his first priority was always to travel to family gatherings near and far. At home he was an avid reader of history and historical novels and rarely missed a Red Sox game on TV in recent years. He was predeceased by his younger siblings, Mary A. Tuohey and Donald W. Tuohey. He leaves his wife of 66 years, Ursula (Caron) Tuohey, his daughter Mary Patricia Pavelka and her husband Stephen, and sons Fr. John F. Tuohey and Christopher P. Tuohey and his wife Christy. He also leaves five grandchildren: Stefanie Wozniak and her husband Todd; Martin Pavelka; Joseph Pavelka and his wife Annie; Patrick Tuohey and Dana Tuohey. He also leaves three great-grandchildren, Mackenzie Pavelka, and Brynn and Kayden Wozniak. “Pappy” was surrounded by his wife and all his children and their spouses, grandchildren and spouses, and great-grandchildren at his recent 90th birthday celebration, which he thoroughly enjoyed, calling it the “best of all his birthdays.” In lieu of flowers, donations in John’s name can be made to Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Parish or American Legion Post 124.
Calling hours are Sunday from 3 to 6 p.m. at Firtion Adams Funeral Home on Broad Street, Westfield. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. Monday at Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Church, Holyoke Road, Westfield. Burial will be at 1:00 p.m. at The Massachusetts Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery in Agawam. The family wishes to thank the staff and all the caregivers at Noble hospital for their compassionate care for John and their support of our family. Firtionadams.com
