Thomas W. Best, 80, longtime resident of Acton, Massachusetts passed away peacefully Sunday, March 13, 2022.
Survivors include his college sweetheart and beloved wife of 57 years, Nancy (Arceci) Best; their children Amy Torres Best and husband Jimmy; Michael Best and wife Nicole; and three grandchildren. Also surviving are his three siblings: Margaret Ann Schrecengost, Judy Olwyn Best, and Gary Best and a sister-in-law Dolores Arceci.
Mr. Best was born in Fredericktown, Pennsylvania and earned his Eagle Scout. After high school in Peters Township, he attended the University of Massachusetts Amherst and graduated with a B.S. in Civil Engineering. He earned his M.S. in Civil Engineering at Iowa State University.
Mr. Best spent 21 years active duty in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and retired as a Major. He also was a veteran of the Vietnam War earning the Purple Heart and Bronze Star. He continued his career as a civilian with the Corp of Engineers and later worked as an Environmental Engineer at Hanscom Air Force Base. Upon his retirement he pursued a passion for genealogy and was known as a genealogy angel helping adoptees and others find their birth families.
Mr. Best was predeceased by his parents Thomas and Dorothy Best.
Visiting hours are Tuesday, March 22nd from 2:00-4:00pm at the Acton Funeral Home, 470 Massachusetts Ave (Rte 111) Acton. The funeral Mass will be celebrated Wednesday, March 23rd at 9:30am in St. Elizabeth of Hungary Catholic Church, 89 Arlington Street, Acton. The Rite of Committal will follow at 2:00pm in the Massachusetts Memorial Veterans’ Cemetery, 111 Glenallen Street, Winchendon.
Memorials are requested for Fisher House of Boston, PO Box 230, South Walpole, MA 02071 and the Acton Council on Aging PO Box 2006 Acton, MA 01720.
Memorial page actonfuneralhome.com