Obituary for Tommy Hotaling
It is with great sadness we announce the passing on February 14, 2019 of "Tommy" (Thomas) Caldwell Hotaling, who was born on March 23, 1948 in New Brunswick NJ, son of Olive C. Hotaling and Burton Hotaling. First wife Louise Pippinger Hotaling is deceased. Tommy is survived by wife Gwen (Burns) Hotaling, son Matthew Hotaling and Meg Gugarty of Watertown, step-daughters Sarah and husband William Salazar of Cambridge, and Mantra and husband Steven Robinson of Oakland CA; grandchildren Miles and Julia Robinson, and Amelia Salazar. Tommy is survived by sister Katherine and husband Andrew Nestler of Seattle WA, and brother James Hotaling of Spokane WA, and numerous nieces, great nieces and great nephews and cousins.
Tommy served proudly in the US Coast Guard for 10 years in the Mediterranean and in the Great Lakes. After completing an associate degree in electronics at Northeastern University, and BS in electrical engineering from Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Tommy worked for MIT Lincoln Lab, as staff and as consultant for over 30 years, and in several smaller companies, as a design and testing engineer.
Tommy was an avid hobbyist, with ham radio, model trains, auto racing, guitarist, sailing and kayaking, photography, sound technician for events, enjoyed tinkering and could fix almost anything. Tommy was a collector of books and antiques. She was a patron of the BSO and supporter of public radio and TV for over 30 years. Along with wife Gwen, they enjoyed traveling, museums, concerts and camping in their cabin in Vermont. Tommy was deeply spiritual, belonging to the Inayati Order of Sufis, studied with masters Pir Vilyat Inayat Khan and Pir Zia Inayat Kahn, attending many meditation retreats.
Through deep introspection, Tommy came to embrace the feminine nature, transitioning to a woman, with the love of support of her family and friends. She was a member of the Tiffany Club of NE.
A celebration of Tommy's life will be held Saturday, February 23rd, 2019 at 2:00 P.M. at the Acton Congregational Church, 12 Concord Road, (Off rte 27) Acton Center. Immediately following service, the life celebration will continue with family and friends invited to gather in the church's Hartman Hall until 4:00P.M.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Inayati Order at the specific link as follows:
https://interland3.donorperfect.net/weblink/weblink.aspx?name=E117941&id=1
Checks are also welcome made payable to The Inayati Order, 112 E Cary Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219.
Memorial page actonfuneralhome.com
Tommy served proudly in the US Coast Guard for 10 years in the Mediterranean and in the Great Lakes. After completing an associate degree in electronics at Northeastern University, and BS in electrical engineering from Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Tommy worked for MIT Lincoln Lab, as staff and as consultant for over 30 years, and in several smaller companies, as a design and testing engineer.
Tommy was an avid hobbyist, with ham radio, model trains, auto racing, guitarist, sailing and kayaking, photography, sound technician for events, enjoyed tinkering and could fix almost anything. Tommy was a collector of books and antiques. She was a patron of the BSO and supporter of public radio and TV for over 30 years. Along with wife Gwen, they enjoyed traveling, museums, concerts and camping in their cabin in Vermont. Tommy was deeply spiritual, belonging to the Inayati Order of Sufis, studied with masters Pir Vilyat Inayat Khan and Pir Zia Inayat Kahn, attending many meditation retreats.
Through deep introspection, Tommy came to embrace the feminine nature, transitioning to a woman, with the love of support of her family and friends. She was a member of the Tiffany Club of NE.
A celebration of Tommy's life will be held Saturday, February 23rd, 2019 at 2:00 P.M. at the Acton Congregational Church, 12 Concord Road, (Off rte 27) Acton Center. Immediately following service, the life celebration will continue with family and friends invited to gather in the church's Hartman Hall until 4:00P.M.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Inayati Order at the specific link as follows:
https://interland3.donorperfect.net/weblink/weblink.aspx?name=E117941&id=1
Checks are also welcome made payable to The Inayati Order, 112 E Cary Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219.
Memorial page actonfuneralhome.com