Thomas Owens (Tom)

Thomas Harry Owens (Tom), 93, of Frederick, Maryland passed away on January 22, 2021 at his home surrounded by close family.

Because of the current pandemic restrictions put in place by the State of Maryland, only a very small, private celebration of life service can be held. Once restrictions have been lifted, the family will announce a celebration of life at a later date.

Tom was born May 17, 1927 in Coudersport, Pennsylvania to Harry and Josephine (Walaski) Owens. He graduated from Bradford High School in 1945. Upon graduation, Tom enlisted in the United States Navy, where he went on to serve on the aircraft carrier USS Franklin Delano Roosevelt. At the conclusion of World War II,Tom enrolled at St. Bonaventure University in Olean, New York. White attending classes, Tom also worked for the Bissett Concrete Company in Bradford, Pennsylvania, where he drove and operated a cement mixer truck. A member of Teamsters Local 963, Tom was inspired to delve into union representation work, becoming a Business Agent for Local 963, a decision that would become his lifelong passion and career.

In 1954, Tom was hired as an International Representative for the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, becoming at the time the youngest International Representative in the union's history. On June 11, 1955, Tom married Beverly Joan Wilcox in Bradford. Soon after, Tom and Joan moved to suburban Maryland outside of Washington, DC where Tom went to work at the Teamsters headquarters as the Director of the union's construction division, and he and Joan began building a family of six children.

Tom enjoyed his work within the labor movement, developing a reputation among union leaders, industry leaders, and construction contractors as a tough, fair and insightful advocate for both rank and file union members and their contractor employers. In 1977, Tom moved to the AFL-CIO Building and Construction Trades Department, where was the Director of Organizing and the Administrator of the General President's Committee on Contract Maintenance (GPCCM). Throughout his career, Tom played a major role in crafting labor agreements pertaining to some of America's most significant construction projects, including the Trans Alaska Pipeline. A tireless worker, Tom only retired a few years shy of his 80th birthday. He was an avid golfer, and enjoyed hitting the open road with Joan in their super sized RV. He also enjoyed listening to his favorite music with an emphasis on Big Band swing, Frank Sinatra, and Louis Prima, among other, and spending time with his children and grandchildren whenever he could.

Tom is survived by his five children, Steven Owens, Dennis Owens, Brian Owens, Tom Owens, and Mary Beth (Owens) Cover. His youngest son, Bob, passed away in 2019. Tom is also survived by his sister, Betty (Owens) Highfield of Venice, Florida, and his grandchildren, Tillie Owens, Mary (Owens) O'Quinn, Jennifer Pruitt, Stephanie Owens, Brandon Owens, Amanda Cover, Matthew Cover, Emily Owens, and Riley Owens. He was preceded in death by his parents, Harry and Josephine; his brother, Jim in 2020; and his wife Joan in 2018.

Arrangements are with Stauffer Funeral Home, Frederick. Expressions of sympathy may be shared with the family at www.staufferfuneralhome.com.

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