Necrology

Thomas Philip Spellane '71

Mar. 17, 1950-Feb. 10, 2022

Thomas Philip Spellane ’71 died on Feb. 10, 2022, in Vero Beach, Fla., following a brief illness. Born in New York City on St. Patrick’s Day, March 17, 1950, the eldest of five siblings, he was raised in the Douglaston neighborhood of Queens, N.Y. Tom arrived at the College by way of Holy Cross High School. At Hamilton he majored in history, played varsity tennis for four years, and was a member of Psi Upsilon fraternity, which was also his residence for three years.

Upon graduation, Tom enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserves, after which he attended Syracuse University College of Law, receiving his doctorate of jurisprudence in 1975. He subsequently joined the law firm Cabell, Kennedy, Hammer & French in New York City as an associate. There he began to practice in the areas in which he would specialize throughout his career: tax law, estates and trusts, real estate law, and corporate law. While working, Tom would further his legal education at New York University School of Law, completing a master’s of laws in taxation in 1982.

Shortly after switching firms to Albert Pastore & Ward, where he was quickly made a partner, he and three colleagues left to found their own firm — Gilbride, Tusa, Last & Spellane, with its main office in Greenwich, Conn., and another in New York City. From then on, until his retirement at the end of 2019, Tom was instrumental in helping the firm grow and attain the reputation and resources it now enjoys.

While living and working in New York City, Tom met his future wife, Pamela Lotz. They married on June 23, 1979, and after moving to Darien, Conn., had two children, Patrick and Megan. After settling in, Tom combined his personal and professional lives by donating his time and legal expertise to community organizations and causes to which he felt an affinity. For a combined 30 years, he served on the boards of five such entities, including the Darien Land Trust and the Point O’Woods Church Committee.

A lifelong sports participant and fan, Tom continued after Hamilton to play tennis and all manner of racquet sports. Over the last three decades, he became an avid and excellent golfer as well. Though he enjoyed the competitive aspect of sport, more important to him was the camaraderie it engendered. As a sports fan, he was particularly fond of the New York Giants, and was a season ticket holder for many years.

A widely read man and an engaging conversationalist, Tom made friends easily and extensively. He was soft spoken, though possessed of a subtle strength that gave confidence to those around him. His sense of humor, winkingly sly, was never nasty, always light and accepting, and often self-deprecating. Tom’s many friends testify to his generosity of heart and mind, his kindness strapped with wisdom, and his unstinting loyalty.

A devoted graduate, Tom valued deeply the education he received and the friendships he forged at Hamilton. He frequently gave of himself to the College in multifarious ways. He served on various committees and in various capacities over the years, including as a volunteer for the Priorities for Hamilton campaign and 175th Anniversary Campaign. As a volunteer, he kept his eye out for promising high school students for whom the College might be a good fit. He was a member of the gift committee for the 50th reunion of the Class of 1971, delayed by COVID-19 and which he planned to attend this June.

Thomas P. Spellane is survived by his wife, son, daughter, and two grandchildren; two brothers, Peter J. Spellane ’73 and Philip Gerard Spellane ’77; and two sisters, including Nancy Spellane Elia ’81.

— Obituary prepared in collaboration with Ronald Bruce Roth ’72

Necrology Home