Thomas J. Plunkett, World War II Veteran

A graduate of Boston Technical and the Peterson School for Engineering, Mr. Plunkett served in Germany during World War II, attending the Nuremberg Trials. He was selected for Army Intelligence but the war ended before he could begin training. Nevertheless, he retained a life-long love of riddles and puzzles.

After the war, he held a variety of union offices including one in the Alliance of Electrical and Engineering Workers. He achieved an engineering 1st class license and became chief engineer at Boston City Hall; Boston Harbor Housing Development and the Charles Street Jail. Later, Mr. Plunkett became an engineering inspector for the Department of Public Safety. After retirement from the state, he went on to become the chief engineer to oversee the closing and building electrical transition needs for Sears Roebuck in Kenmore Square.

Mr. Plunkett married Mary Mazzucchelli in 1967, and they had two daughters, Mayre and Beth.

Once he retired, he enjoyed wintering with his wife Mary in Vero Beach, Fla. There, he won a series of cribbage championships. He loved poetry and enjoyed reciting poems, both popular and obscure. He was always ready with a pun or a tongue twister that would confound his audience. His penchant for magic, especially slight-of-hand, his famous crystal vibration illusion and his infamous “Boris the Rabbit” handkerchief trick, is legendary. He was an avid reader, and enjoyed sharing books, especially fantasy and adventure stories, with his grandchildren.

Tom Plunkett had an extraordinary knowledge of Boston history, especially politics. He played a supporting role in a number of campaigns of successful Boston legislators and mayors, including John Collins. He told many stories about events on the campaign trail of campaigns stretching back to the 1940s.

He was known to help train and place young men in need of work, and often provided financial resources to support those going through tough times. 

He leaves his children Mayre Plunkett and her husband John Radosta of Jamaica Plain and Beth Plunkett and her husband Sangtae Park of Glencoe, Ill.; his siblings Marie Hurley of Hingham, Elaine Murphy of Weymouth, Janice D’Avignon of Hingham; his grandchildren Nicholas Radosta and Hannah and Grace Sussman; and his many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his siblings Elizabeth Buckley, Richard Plunkett, Joan Simpson and Jack Plunkett. 

Funeral from the P.E. Murray-F.J. Higgins, George F. Doherty & Sons Funeral Home, 2000 Centre St. West Roxbury, Saturday, Dec. 21 at 9 a.m. followed by a Funeral Mass in The Basilica of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, 1545 Tremont St., Boston at 10 a.m. Relatives and friends are invited. Visiting hours Friday, Dec. 20 4 to 7 p.m. Interment will be private. 

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Toys for Tots.