By Mara Certic
Thomas A. Twomey Jr., an attorney and civic leader, died of an apparent heart attack at his home on Two Holes of Water Road in East Hampton on Sunday morning. He was 68 years old.
Mr. Twomey was the senior partner and founder of the largest law firm on the East End of Long Island, Twomey, Latham, Shea, Kelley, Dubin & Quartararo, which he founded in 1973. He was also the longtime chairman of the East Hampton Library board—leading two major expansion projects—as well as a leader in numerous other community projects.
Mr. Twomey was born in Manhattan on December 8, 1945, to Thomas Twomey., a New York City police detective and Mary Twomey. His love for the East End began when he spent summers with his family in Mattituck.
A graduate of Manhattan College, Mr. Twomey put himself through both the University of Virginia and Columbia Law Schools by selling kitchen knives.
After a year of adventures around the world—one of which involved an elephant chasing his rented Volkswagen Beetle—Mr. Twomey returned to Long Island, where he founded his law firm. Mr. Twomey decided to establish his law firm in Riverhead, to be able to serve the entire East End. The firm now also has offices East Hampton, Southampton, Southold and Hauppauge.
During the early days of his career, Mr. Twomey split his time between his private practice and acting as counsel to local municipal boards in both East Hampton and Southampton towns at various times.
“I’ve known Tom for 40 years. He’s been a close friend. I’ve worked with him on a number of the most important issues over that time,” East Hampton Town Supervisor Larry Cantwell said this week.
“Tom had a profound impact on some of the major issues of our time including stopping the construction of Jamesport nuclear power stations and chairing the economic and environmental taskforce that resulted in millions of dollars coming to the East End to promote farming, fishing, tourism and the environment,” Mr. Cantwell continued.
Mr. Twomey was instrumental in the creation of both Suffolk County and New York State’s Farmland Preservation Programs. He formed the group “Halt the Highway,” and led the fight to prevent the extension of Sunrise Highway from Shinnecock Hills to Amagansett.
As chairman of the board at the East Hampton Public Library, Mr. Twomey led the capital campaign to raise an estimated $4 million to construct a 6,800-square-foot children’s wing for the library. Mr. Twomey cut the official ribbon opening the new addition in June of this year. He also chaired the capital campaign that raised $3.5 million for a major addition to the library that was completed in 1997.
Mr. Twomey served on the executive committee of the Guild Hall Cultural Center and was an active fund-raiser for the center’s annual budget.
A pilot himself, Mr. Twomey was an advocate for the East Hampton Airport and recently served on the aviation subcommittee of the Airport Planning group.
Mr. Twomey was passionate about the history of East Hampton, and took a leading role in the town’s 350th Anniversary Celebration in 1998. Afterward, Mr. Twomey was named town historian and edited five volumes on the history of East Hampton while in that capacity. A sixth volume will be published soon.
“When he took on an issue, he gave everything he had to it. He had an incredible passion and a commitment to see things through, regardless of how difficult it must have been to be successful,” Supervisor Cantwell said, “His loss will be felt for many years to come.”
Mr. Twomey is survived by his wife, Judith Hope, who served three terms as East Hampton Town Supervisor from 1973-75 and again from 1983-87.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by two stepchildren, Nisse and Erling Hope; three grandchildren, Soren Hope, Asaiah Aqui and Henry Luka Hope; and by his sisters, Mary Claire Vrtodusic of Oakdale and Florence Cope of East Marion.
Visiting hours will be on Friday, November 21, at Yardley and Pino Funeral Home at 94 Pantigo Road in East Hampton from 2 to 4 p.m. and from 7 to 9 p.m. Funeral services will be on Saturday, November 22, at 1 p.m. at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church at 18 James Lane in East Hampton. A reception will follow at East Hampton Point, 295 Three Mile Harbor Road.
Memorial donations can be made to the East Hampton Public Library, 159 Main Street, East Hampton.
