Thomas M. Tigue (August 24, 1945 – February 1, 2016) was a United States Marine Corps Officer and combat veteran, an American politician, a Democratic member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.
Thomas M. "Tom" Tigue | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives from the 118th district | |
| In office January 6, 1981[1] – November 30, 2006[2] | |
| Preceded by | Raphael Musto |
| Succeeded by | Michael Carroll |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Thomas Michael Tigue August 24, 1945 Hughestown, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Died | February 1, 2016 (aged 70) Hughestown, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Dianne Marie Walsh
(m. 1968; died 2015) |
| Children | 4 |
| Alma mater | King's College (B.A.) |
| Awards | Silver Star |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Branch/service | U.S. Marine Corps |
| Years of service | 1968–1971 |
| Rank |  Colonel |
| Battles/wars | Vietnam War |
Early life edit
Thomas Michael Tigue was born in Hughestown, Pennsylvania, to Michael F. Tigue and his wife.[3][4] He graduated from St. John's the Evangelist High School in 1964.[3] He earned a B.A. degree in government from King's College in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, in 1968.[4][3][5]
Career edit
He served in the U.S. Marine Corps in the Vietnam War, earning a Silver Star.[6][7] He served 27 years in the Marine Corps Reserve.[8] He has pursued graduate studies at Marywood University.[9] He was a Legislative Fellow at East Stroudsburg University and a member of the Pittston Area School Board.[6][10]
He was first elected to represent the 118th legislative district in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in 1980.[7] During his tenure, Tigue served as the Democratic chair of the House Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee, where he was instrumental in establishing the Military Family Relief Assistance Program, a program providing financial assistance to eligible Pennsylvania service members and their family members who are financially impacted by military service.[8] He also co-sponsored of legislation giving the Governor the authority to call members of the Pennsylvania National Guard to state active duty in the event of emergencies in other states.[8] He retired prior to the 2006 elections, working to help Michael B. Carroll succeed him.[7]
In December 2006, he became Managing Director of the Delaware River Maritime Enterprise Council.[9] In July 2007, he was inducted into the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs Hall of Fame.[8] In 2007, Tigue sought an appointment to the Luzerne County Commission to replace Todd Vonderheid, who decided to step down.[11] A panel of nine judges from the Court of Common Pleas were responsible for the appointment.[11] However, Tigue was defeated by former commissioner Rose Tucker 5–4.[11]
Personal life edit
Tigue married Dianne Marie Walsh, of Hughestown, on September 14, 1968.[4][12] She died in 2015.[7] Together, they had four children: Thomas, Tracy, Kristin, and Colleen.[7]
Death edit
Tigue died on February 1, 2016, from Stage IV lung cancer.[13]
U.S. decorations and badges edit
|
Silver Star |
References edit
- ^ "SESSION OF 1981 - 165TH OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY - No. 1" (PDF). Legislative Journal. Pennsylvania House of Representatives. 1981-01-06.
- ^ Per Article II, Section 2 of the Pennsylvania Constitution, the legislative session ended on November 30, 2006
- ^ a b c Fisher, Jimmy (2016-02-02). "Thomas Tigue remembered as 'one of a kind'". Times Leader. Wilkes-Barre, PA. p. 1A. Retrieved 2021-05-09 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b c "Engagement of Diane Marie Walsh". Sunday Dispatch. Pittston, PA. 1967-11-26. Retrieved 2021-05-09 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Thomas M. Tigue (Democrat)". Official Pennsylvania House of Representatives Profile. Pennsylvania House of Representatives. Archived from the original on 2006-01-10.
- ^ a b Kanjorski, Paul (2007-02-09). "Honoring state representative thomas tigue as he retires from the pennsylvania legislature after 26 years of service" (PDF). Congressional Record. United States Congress.
- ^ a b c d e Fisher, Jimmy (2016-02-02). "Thomas Tigue remembered as 'one of a kind'". Times Leader. Wilkes-Barre, PA. p. 2A. Retrieved 2021-05-09 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b c d "Retired lawmaker tom tigue named to military and veterans affairs hall of fame" (Press release). Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. 2007-07-31.
- ^ a b "Our Team - Thomas M. Tigue, Managing Director". www.drmec.org. Delaware River Maritime Enterprise Council, Inc. 2007.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Votesmart.org.-Thomas Tigue". Votesmart.org. 1945-08-24. Retrieved 2018-04-04.
- ^ a b c "Former Commissioner Tucker tapped to finish rest of Vonderheid's term". Citizens Voice. Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania: Times-Shamrock Communications Inc. June 19, 2007.
- ^ "Marine Officer's Bride". Times Leader. Wilkes-Barre, PA. 1968-09-14. Retrieved 2021-05-09 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Bill Wellock (2016-02-01). "Former lawmaker Tigue dies". Citizensvoice.com. Retrieved 2018-04-04.
External links edit
- "Pennsylvania House of Representatives - Thomas Tigue". Archived from the original on January 23, 2000. Retrieved June 6, 2009. official PA House website
- Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus - Rep. Thomas Tigue at the Wayback Machine (archive index) official Party website