Thomas Francis Tully, 85, had long career in government

Thomas Tully

Thomas Francis Tully died Feb. 6. He was 85. He was born in New York City on Aug. 13, 1939, to Patrick and Ellen Tully. He was the third of seven children.

Tully attended St. Joseph’s Elementary School in the Bronx, and Cathedral Prep in Manhattan for high school. He was the first of his Irish immigrant family to graduate college when he received a bachelor of arts in political science from Fordham University. 

Tully’s family said he was a lifelong learner and believed education was the key to a good life. He read the New York Times cover to cover every day of his adult life, and taught himself multiple foreign languages. 

Tully spent his entire career as a federal government employee, beginning with a job in the U.S. Postal Service to put himself through college. He went on to hold leadership positions in multiple agencies, culminating in his position as regional inspector general for the Department of Health and Human Services. He retired with over 30 years of service.

Tully married Beverly (Kinkade) Tully in 1969 and had two children, Patricia and Liam. He was married a second time, to Diane Gennaro Tully in 1996, and spent almost 30 years traveling the world, discussing politics, attending Broadway shows and spending time with family and friends.

For 50 years, he played tennis multiple times per week and, his family said, cared deeply for his family and was overjoyed with his grandchildren. 

He is survived by his wife, Diane, his daughter, Patricia, his son, Liam, and three grandchildren and two step-grandchildren. He is also survived by two brothers, Martin and John, and his sister, Ellen, as well as several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, and siblings Mary Ann, Michael, and Patrick.