Obituary: CDR Thomas (Tim) P. Guilfoil, 78, of Gales Ferry

LEDYARD, CT - (From ) CDR Thomas (Tim) P. Guilfoil USN Retired, 78, of Gales Ferry, CT, passed away Thursday July 2, 2020 surrounded by his family. Tim was born December 23, 1941 in Pittsburgh PA to Thomas and Mary Freyvogel Guilfoil. On May 16, 1964 he married Patricia Lane Guilfoil, she survives him.

Thomas "Tim" Guilfoil graduated from St. James High School, in Pittsburgh PA, and enlisted in the United States Navy in August 1960.

He served on USS Cubera (SS 347), received Nuclear Power training, and served on USS Patrick Henry (SSBN 599) Blue. In 1964, he was selected to participate in the Navy Enlisted Scientific Education Program attending the University of Oklahoma in Norman, Oklahoma.

Tim graduated in 1968, receiving a Bachelor of Science in Nuclear Engineering Physics. After graduation, he attended Officer Candidate School in Newport, Rhode Island, from which he was commissioned as an Ensign in the US Navy.

Upon completion of Nuclear Power Training at West Milton, New York, Tim attended the Submarine Officer Indoctrination Course (SOIC) at New London, Connecticut. He was assigned to the USS Guardfish (SSN 612), where he served from July 1969 until May 1972.

In December 1972, upon completion of the Submarine Officer Advance Course (SOAC), Guilfoil was assigned as Engineer Officer of USS Kamehameha (SSBN 642)(Gold), where he served until December 1975.

From January 1976 to July 1978, Commander Guilfoil was assigned to the Staff of the Commander in U.S. Atlantic Fleet, as a member of the Nuclear Propulsion Examining Board. Following this tour, he reported to USS Jacksonville (SSN 699) Pre-commissioning Unit to serve as Executive Officer until September 1980.

Tim served as Executive Officer of USS Billfish (SSN 676) from October 1980 to December 1981. Following this tour, he completed Prospective Commanding Officer Training in Washington D.C., New London, Connecticut and Norfolk, Virginia, reporting to USS Scamp (SSN 588) in June 1982.

Commander Guilfoil was awarded the Navy Commendation Medal with Gold Star in lieu of a second award; the Navy Enlisted Good Conduct Medal with Bronze Star, the National Defense Service Medal, the Navy Expeditionary Medal, the Battle Efficiency Ribbon and the Navy Sea Service Ribbon with Bronze Star. In 2005 Tim retired from the Navy and continued to live in Connecticut.

Following his Naval career, Tim worked at Sonalysts in Waterford, CT for 18 years as a contractor for the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

After retiring from Sonolysts, Tim continued to stay active and support his Military and Gales Ferry communities through his service as a Volunteer Fire Police with the Gales Ferry Volunteer Fire Company, Director for the Retired Activities Program at the Naval Submarine Base New London and an active member of his church parish, Our Lady of Lourdes, serving as a Eucharistic minister, and 3rd Degree Member of the Knights of Columbus.

Tim and Patty traveled in their RV, creating many new and beautiful friendships along the way. Tim and Patty spent many winters in Lake San Marino in Naples, Florida. They cherished their time together with family and friends.

Tim was a lifelong sports fan of his beloved Steelers, Penguins, and Pirates. He was an avid reader and enjoyed his time on the golf course with Patty. Tim will be deeply missed by his wife, family, and friends.

Tim is predeceased by his parents, Thomas, and Mary Guilfoil. He is survived by his loving wife Patty of 56 years, his daughter Amy Dumont and her husband Tony, his son Thomas Guilfoil Jr and his wife Michele and his son Christopher Guilfoil and his wife, Tracy.

His eight grandchildren also survive him: Alexandra, Danielle and Jacqueline Dumont, Samantha, Abigail (Roy), and Taylor Guilfoil and Connor and Jake Guilfoil. Tim is also survived by his siblings Patricia Johnson, Mary Kay McNally, and Patrick John Guilfoil.

Visitation will be held from 3:00pm to 5:00pm Tuesday July 7, 2020 at the Byles Groton Memorial Home, 310 Thames Street Groton, CT 06340. COVID 19 protocol will apply. Masks must be worn prior to entry. A limited number of people will be allowed in the building at one time.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 11:00am Wednesday, July 8, 2020 at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, 1650 CT-12, Gales Ferry, CT 06335. Due to COVID19, the first 80 people will be permitted to attend.

The funeral mass will be Live Streamed. Use Zoom ID # 863 7021 8406
Military Honors will be presented after Mass for the public. Please obey the appropriate distancing requirements

In Lieu of flower donations can be made in Tim’s honor to: The Gales Ferry Volunteer Fire Company, PO BOX 31, 772 Route 12, Gales Ferry, CT 06335.