Thomas C. McArdle - Obituary

homas C. McArdle passed away peacefully at the age of 92 in Annapolis on March 9th. He was born in Scottdale, Pennsylvania in 1924. Tom's life spanned the great changes in our nation of that era. His childhood in the Pittsburgh steel country during the Depression - where he was often hungry, but always happy and well cared for - prepared him for the prosperity of a well lived retirement. In between those benchmarks, Tom served his country during World War II on a sub chaser in the Pacific. After the war had ended, he went to college, and then graduate school at St. Johns and Georgetown Universities, respectively. He began his career as a social worker, and shortly after that he met Jeanne Werner as a counselor at a summer camp in upper state New York. They were married for 63 years and never spent a night apart after exchanging their vows until Jeanne went into full-time care. Tom and Jeanne adopted two children, Michael and Anne Marie (Nancy). Tom became a social worker with the federal government, and Jeanne established her career as a public health nurse. The family moved to Arizona when Tom accepted a two-year stint with the Bureau of Indian Affairs in 1963. When it came time to return East, they purchased a home from a brochure in a new community called Belair at Bowie. Twenty years later, they moved to Greenbelt, Maryland to be closer to their daughter Nancy and their four grandchildren. Tom's favorite pastimes included organic gardening, hiking and camping, and reading. He was a lifelong baseball fan - his favorite player was Al Kaline. In later years, he followed the Washington Nationals. Tom is survived by a son, Michael McArdle of Bowie, a sister Jean (McArdle) Junk of New Jersey, six grandchildren and a great-grandchild. His daughter Nancy and wife Jeanne preceded him in passing. A private Mass and service will be held at St. Pius X in Bowie for family members.