On May 9, 2026, a 90-year-old Hoschton, Georgia resident passed away quietly at home in the company of his wife, Irene. After a period of progressive health decline, Thomas Francis Killackey passed away. No specific cause of death has been publicly released.
His death marked the end of a life characterized by quiet fortitude and warmth. He was raised in an Irish Catholic home in the Bronx and attended Cardinal Hayes High School, where he excelled in science and math while playing baseball.
Killackey developed a disciplined attitude and a competitive desire during his early years that would characterize his future pursuits. After serving his nation, he went on to have a distinguished career in naval engineering.
At Newport News Shipbuilding, he specialized in the design and construction of nuclear-powered aircraft carriers and submarines. His contributions were instrumental in delivering vessels that remain operational today. His innovative approach to maintaining carrier nuclear reactors earned him special recognition from the Secretary of the Navy.
Faith played a central role in Killackey’s life. As a founding member of St. Jerome Catholic Church in Maryland, he cultivated lasting friendships through his active participation in the church community. His spiritual convictions guided his actions with humility and grace throughout his decades. He later moved to Hoschton, Georgia, where he spent his final years.
Killackey is survived by his wife, Irene, as well as his children, grandchildren, and extended family. He is remembered as a devoted husband, a proud father, and a man of principle who lived with integrity and quiet generosity. No names of his children or grandchildren have been publicly released. The family has requested privacy as they mourn.
A Funeral Mass will be conducted on Wednesday, May 27, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at Prince of Peace Church on Spout Springs Road in Flowery Branch, Georgia. A Celebration of Life will follow from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the same location.
Afterwards, a procession will move to Memorial Park South Funeral Home and Cemetery on Falcon Parkway in Flowery Branch for a final blessing of his remains. The family has invited all whose lives he touched to attend.
Killackey was 90 years old. He was a naval engineer recognized by the Secretary of the Navy, a founding member of St. Jerome Catholic Church, and a devoted husband to Irene. Those are the details his loved ones are sharing as they mourn. Anyone wishing to honor his memory may attend the Funeral Mass or Celebration of Life at Prince of Peace Church. No further details have been released. The family has requested privacy.
