Tom Creaghan (1935–2016)

Thomas W. Creaghan

On Saturday March 6, 2021, Thomas Wellwood Creaghan passed away at the Miramichi Hospital at the age of 90. Tom was born in Newcastle, NB on September 23, 1930. Son of the late Donald S. “DS” Creaghan and Rita (Buckley) Creaghan, and predeceased by his wife, Nan Creaghan (Colwell).

He is survived by his sons, Jonathan (Joanne) Creaghan of London, Ontario and Geoffrey (Alyson) Creaghan of St. Petersburg, Florida; grandchildren, Spencer, Danica, Christopher, and Aidan; and many nieces, nephews and good friends.

Tom Creaghan was the last of the prominent New Brunswick merchant family – the Creaghans – to still live in the Miramichi area. He grew up on Pleasant St. in Newcastle. After completing high school at Harkins, he went on to further his studies at St. FX and McGill, where he graduated in Engineering. He continued his studies in England at the London School of Economics, where he was taken under the wing of Lord Beaverbrook. Later he took courses at MIT under Buckminster Fuller.

Tom worked in Quebec and Ontario in a series of engineering and management positions. He was always a fierce champion of promoting where he lived – either Ontario or his beloved Burnt Church where he used to spend summers and returned to for his last 16 years. Equally, his passion for the home of his ancestors in Ireland was a lifetime occupation. So much so that in his 80s he turned his hand to writing when he retired in order to process all the research he had done about Ireland and the various families that came from there to Miramichi and whom he descended from. The end product was his book, Talented Miramichiers in the Gilded Age.

Dad will be missed by everyone who knew him. He instilled an authentic love for life that came from his caring heart. He had a magnetic smile and (sometimes mischievous) personality and cared deeply about his family. Dad always valued the time with his sons, visiting them regularly in Ontario and in the U.S., not forgetting to pass on the importance of coming “home” (Miramichi). Dad was a believer in the strength of the family bond, the importance of friendships, the value of a good education, and always cared for our well being. Dad cherished his time with his grandchildren who adored him and learned from him the lessons of love and family in the way that only a grandfather can teach. He loved genealogy, music (jazz and classical), reading, entertaining and the occasional dance. Dad made everyone feel at home.

In memory of Tom, please donate to any New Brunswick historical society or charity of your choice.

Celebration of life will be done when family and friends can all come together.