Thomas Birch Sr., 72, Will Receive Police and Military Burial Honors

ATTLEBORO - Thomas L. Birch Sr., 72, of Mary Street, Attleboro, a retired sergeant for the Attleboro Police Department and former trooper for the Massachusetts State Police, died Monday, Aug. 27, 2007 at the Philip Hulitar Inpatient Center in Providence. He was the beloved husband and companion of 28 years of Philomena A. "Bunnie" (Lopes) Birch.

Born in Attleboro on Dec. 5, 1934, Mr. Birch was a son of the late James H. and Theresa B. (Croke) Birch Sr. Mr. Birch attended Coyle High School in Taunton and graduated from the Cardinal Newman School in Boston. He later earned an associate degree in criminal justice from Bristol Community College in Fall River and also received a bachelor of science, magna cum laude, in criminal justice and business administration from Roger Williams College in Bristol, R.I.

A veteran of the Korean War, Mr. Birch served in the U.S. Coast Guard, enlisting on Feb. 12, 1952 and being honorably discharged on Feb. 11, 1955. He later served in the U.S. Air Force, serving in the 551st Supply Squadron, enlisting on Jan. 31, 1956 and being honorably discharged on Jan. 30, 1960.

Mr. Birch retired as a sergeant from the Attleboro Police Department in 1978 after 18 years of service to the City of Attleboro. He later served three years as a Massachusetts state trooper stationed in Bourne for the Massachusetts State Police.

Later, Mr. Birch was an assistant vice president of security and transportation at Metalor Refining Corporation in North Attleboro for six years.

Tom was the recipient of 21 citations from both the Attleboro Police Department and the Massachusetts State Police during his career in law enforcement. He also was employed for several months for the Drug Enforcement Administration and U.S. Customs Service in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

A resident of Attleboro most of his life, Mr. Birch enjoyed playing cards with friends, walking his dogs and spending time with his beloved grandchildren.

He was a life member of both the Attleboro Lodge of Elks, BPOE 1014, and the Knights of Columbus, St. John Council 404, both in Attleboro. He was also a member of the Massachusetts Police Association.

In addition to his beloved wife, Bunnie, Mr. Birch is survived by two sons, Thomas L. Birch Jr. and Timothy M. Birch, both of Attleboro; five daughters: Joy Marie Gonsalves of Central Falls, R.I., Laurie Ann Hardman of Seekonk, Sharon Louise Goguen of Attleboro, Valerie Ann Shirley in Tennessee and Christine Marie Eglitis of Canton, Ga.; two brothers, James H. Birch Jr., M.D. and John F. Birch, both of Attleboro; two sisters, Mary P. Pistocco of North Attleboro and Kathleen M. Guimond of Savannah, Ga.; 15 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews (including Hyannis News Publisher and Editor Robert J. Bastille).

Mr. Birch was predeceased by his beloved grandson, Joshua Michael Birch, who died on Aug. 9, 1994; his loving nephew, Lawrence P. Birch, North Attleboro Police Department, who died on Sept. 15, 2002; and his beloved sister, Joan A. Carey, who died on July 11, 1996.

Family and friends are kindly invited to attend visiting hours on Wednesday, Aug. 29 from 4 to 7 p.m. in the Duffy-Poule Funeral Home, 20 Peck St., Attleboro. A funeral with honors provided by the Attleboro Police Department will be conducted on Thursday, Aug. 30 at 9 a.m. from the Duffy-Poule Funeral Home, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. in St. John the Evangelist Church, 133 North Main St., Attleboro celebrated by the Rev. Richard Roy, pastor.

Mr. Birch will be laid to rest with military honors provided by the U.S. Coast Guard in Mt. Hope Cemetery & Arboretum, Attleboro Falls.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in his memory may be made to: The American Heart Association, 20 Speen St., Framingham, MA 01701 or at www.americanheart.org.

An online guest book for family and friends to express condolences and additional information may be found at www.duffy-poule.com.