U.S. Army veteran, enjoyed racing at N.E. Dragway
Published May 21, 2020
NORTH READING — Thomas J. Laquidara, 79, of North Reading and formerly of Boston, died at his home on Saturday, May 9, 2020 after a short illness.
Born in Boston on May 1, 1941, he was the son of the late Carmelo and Antoinetta (LaMacchia) Laquidara. He graduated from Hyde Park High School in Boston and worked for Camp Dresser and McKee until his retirement in 2011. Tom was a U.S. Army Vietnam Veteran, stationed in Orleans, France, for three years. He lived in Boston before moving to North Reading in 1976.
He was a loving husband, father, grandfather/papa, brother, brother-in-law, uncle, friend and neighbor. The kids in the neighborhood loved him. He could figure out how to fix and build anything and was always willing to help out his neighbors. He cheered everyone up with his happy warm smile and sense of humor. He loved his cars and racing his Dodge Challenger at New England Dragway in Epping, N.H. He also enjoyed car shows, participating in the plumbing forum on his computer, playing pool, gardening, birding and walking his dogs, Molly and Teddy.
Family members include his wife of 55 years, Anne (Perroso) Laquidara; his sons, Thomas M. Laquidara and his wife Ann Jennifer of Billerica, and Michael Laquidara and his wife Rachel of Wilmington; his brother, William Laquidara of Franklin, his late brothers, John “Jackie” Laquidara and Charles Laquidara; his sisters, Angela (Laquidara) Viecelli of Westwood, Anne (Laquidara ) Vitale and her husband Dennis of Canton and the late Josephine (Laquidara) Viveiros; and his four beloved grandchildren, Jacob, Shane, Andrew and Emily.
Memorial donations may be made in his memory to the MSPCA at Nevins Farm, 400 Broadway, Methuen, MA 01844, the Animal Rescue League of Boston, or an animal rescue of your choice.
Services will be private. Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading is in charge of the arrangements. To leave an online message of condolence, please visit www.croswellfuneralhome.com.
