Thomas A. Hebenton, 97, Formerly of Reading

READING, MA — Thomas A. Hebenton, a resident of Tewksbury for 17 years, formerly a resident of Reading for 42 years, passed away on Jan. 9, 2017 at the Lowell General Hospital in Lowell. He was 97 years of age.

Thomas was born in Worcester, Massachusetts on June 1, 1919, the son of the late James and Sybil (Graham) Hebenton. Thomas was a printer compositor in the newspaper industry. He worked for the Herald Traveler from 1939 -1973, the Herald America for 1 year, then for the Lowell Sun from 1974 to 1987. Thomas proudly served his country during World War II in the U.S. Merchant Marine. He served from 1942 to 1945 and served in the North Atlantic War Zone. On February 7, 1943 the USMV Henry R. Mallory was torpedoed and sunk in the North Atlantic of which he survived. He was the recipient of the Merchant Marine Emblem, Atlantic War Zone Bar, Combat Bar (with stars) and the Victory Medal. He was honorably discharged as an Able Body Seaman.

As a hobby he made ship models and also repaired older models and sold many of them. Thomas was the beloved husband of the late Theo (Farr) Hebenton. Devoted father of Sandra S. Hayes and her husband William of Haverhill and Bruce T. Hebenton and his wife Marla of Lexington. Loving grandfather of Jodi Jean Hebenton Bulcao and Brittani Hebenton and loving great grandfather of Tyler Bulcao.

A Funeral service will be held on Friday, Jan. 13, at the Douglass, Edgerley and Bessom Funeral Home 25 Sanborn St., (corner of Woburn St.) Reading at 11 a.m. Burial to follow at Wood End Cemetery in Reading. Funeral home visiting hours will be held Thursday from 4:00-8:00 p.m. Those who wish may make contributions in Thomas memory to the Merchant Marine Veterans of WW II P.O. Box 629 San Pedro CA 90731.

Obituary courtesy of the Douglass Edgerly and Bessom Funeral Home.