Celebrating the life of
Thomas Joseph Dillon, Sr.
September 25, 1927 - December 30, 2009
Thomas J. Dillon, Sr., 82, a devoted Savannahian, family patriarch, and long-time attorney, died on December 30 from a short-term illness, with his family by his side.
Prior to his retirement in 1994, Mr. Dillon was the Assistant Secretary, Associate General Counsel, and officer of Union Camp Corporation and was with the company for 29 years. Prior to that he was a partner with the law firm of Bouhan, Lawrence, Williams and Levy.
Mr. Dillon was born on September 25, 1927, in Savannah. He was the son of the late Thomas Dillon and the late Elizabeth "Bessie" Emily Osterholtz Dillon. He graduated from Benedictine Military School, Armstrong College, and the University of Georgia Lumpkin School of Law.
Mr. Dillon served in the United States Army during World War II as well as in the Georgia Air National Guard and the United States Air Force Reserve.
He was appointed by Governors Joe Frank Harris, Zell Miller, and Roy Barnes to serve on the Georgia Ports Authority. During that 18-year period he also served as the Ports Authority Chairman. He was also past-Chairman of the Chatham County Hospital Authority, past-President of the University of Georgia Law School Association, and past-Chairman of the Savannah Development and Renewal Authority. He was on the board of directors of the Savannah-Area Chamber of Commerce and was the founding Chairman of the Corporate Counsel Section, State Bar of Georgia. He was a member of the Armstrong Atlantic State University Foundation and the Center for Irish Studies Georgia Southern University.
Mr. Dillon was past-President of the Hibernian Society as well as a member of the Savannah Bar Association, the Rotary Club of Savannah, the Gridiron Society, the Chatham Club, the President's Club University of Georgia, Phi Delta Phi Honorary Legal Society University of Georgia Law School and the Savannah Jaycees. He was also a fourth-degree member of the Knights of Columbus.
Mr. Dillon's wife, Jacqueline Womble Dillon, passed away in 2006. He is survived by son Thomas J. Dillon, Jr., his wife Livia Musso, and his children Sarah, Aislinn, Zoe, Giulia, Christine, and Taddeo; and daughter Diana Dillon Burns, her husband Bradford Burns, and their daughter Helena.
The visitation will be held at the Church of the Most Blessed Sacrament on Tuesday, January 5, 2010, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. The Rosary Service will begin at 7:00 pm.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at the Church of the Most Blessed Sacrament on Wednesday, January 6, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. Burial will follow at Bonaventure Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be members of the Hibernian Society.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Mary's Home, 2120 E. Victory Drive, Savannah, GA 31404.
Fox and Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel
Dear Diana, Tom and Family, Your father was a true gentleman and great man of faith, integrity and compassion. He was very dear to my late father and to our entire family. My thoughts and prayers are with you during this time, and I hope all of the wonderful memories you share are a great comfort. Love, Susan
- susan hirsch goldstein, new york, NY
Dear Diana, I remember your dad as a gentle and firm man and know that his deep-rooted memories will provide you a clear and strong ballast for living a good life. He's united with Christ and will join you in prayer. Peace and sorrow. Love, Andy
- Andy Petitti, Alexandria, VA
Dear Tom ,Diana and Families.We were so sorry to hear about Tom.He was truly a gentleman in the best sense of the word.He will be remembered for his hard work and his attention to detail as well as his devotion to his family.You will be in our prayers.
- Tom and Judy Mahoney, Savannah, GA
I am grateful that I had the opportunity to get to know my sister’s father-in-law, Mr. Thomas J. Dillon, Sr. He was certainly a man of another time, in the best sense. With strong beliefs and values, and a consequent behaviour, even in the small things of the daily life. An attitude which is rare and precious in our current superficial era. Therefore, and for many other reasons, we will miss him, but we are also confident that his personality will revive in his younger family members, who had the privilege of having such a father and grandfather. Our sincere condolences to his many relatives and friends from Europe. Federico M. Musso and family
- Federico M. Musso, Zoetermeer, The Netherlands,
Dear Diana, Tom and Family, Your father was a true gentleman and great man of faith, integrity and compassion. He was very dear to my late father and to our entire family. My thoughts and prayers are with you during this time, and I hope all of the wonderful memories you share are a great comfort. Love, Susan
- susan hirsch goldstein, new york, NY
Dear Diana, I remember your dad as a gentle and firm man and know that his deep-rooted memories will provide you a clear and strong ballast for living a good life. He's united with Christ and will join you in prayer. Peace and sorrow. Love, Andy
- Andy Petitti, Alexandria, VA
Dear Tom ,Diana and Families.We were so sorry to hear about Tom.He was truly a gentleman in the best sense of the word.He will be remembered for his hard work and his attention to detail as well as his devotion to his family.You will be in our prayers.
- Tom and Judy Mahoney, Savannah, GA
I am grateful that I had the opportunity to get to know my sister’s father-in-law, Mr. Thomas J. Dillon, Sr. He was certainly a man of another time, in the best sense. With strong beliefs and values, and a consequent behaviour, even in the small things of the daily life. An attitude which is rare and precious in our current superficial era. Therefore, and for many other reasons, we will miss him, but we are also confident that his personality will revive in his younger family members, who had the privilege of having such a father and grandfather. Our sincere condolences to his many relatives and friends from Europe. Federico M. Musso and family
- Federico M. Musso, Zoetermeer, The Netherlands,
Services under the direction of:
Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel
912-352-7200
