Thomas Powers West, 61, of Nashua, passed away at his home, Monday, January 20, 2020 after a period of declining health.
A Nashua native, Tom was born on December 19, 1958, a son of the late Nashua industrialist Richard E. West and wife Ruth M. (Roeblad) West. He attended Nashua schools and graduated from The Derryfield School in Manchester, Class of 1976. Tom furthered his education at New England College in Henniker, where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism and studied under noted novelist and friend, Russell Banks. As a fiction writer, his work (though unpublished) was praised by Banks. In recent years he was offered a chance to publish a short story in the New Yorker but could not accept due to his failing health.
Tom was a lifelong journalist who worked for newspapers including The Derry News, Nashua Telegraph, Manchester Union Leader and the Berlin News. He covered many meetings of the Board of Alderman, Planning and Zoning Boards and the New Hampshire Presidential primaries during the 1980s and 90s. He was photographed with presidents such as Carter, Reagan, both Bushes and Clinton and interviewed all of the major candidates at that time.
In his leisure time, Tom was a sports fan of the Boston Red Sox and loved the music of the Grateful Dead. He was a lifelong dog lover, caring for family pets, Snoopy and Fred, as well as his own rescue dog, Newt. He also loved fishing and the beaches of Cape Cod and Daytona, FL.
Members of his family include two brothers, David R. West of Nashua and Steven J. West and his wife, Colleen of Hull, MA; two sisters, Diane R. West and her husband Robert Bates of Bedford, NH and Meredith West and her husband Andrew King of Bloomington, IN; a niece, Elanor West of Baltimore, MD; two nephews, Benjamin King of Poughkeepsie, NY and Matthew King of Bloomington, IN. Tom was also predeceased by his brother, Richard E. West, Jr., who passed away in 1949.
Calling hours will be held at the FARWELL FUNERAL HOME, 18 Lock Street, Nashua, on Tuesday, January 28th from 5 to 7 p.m. Friends are invited to attend.
Arrangements are in the care of the FARWELL FUNERAL SERVICE. (603) 882-0591. www.farwellfuneralservice.com
