Tom Twomey, East Hampton Library Chairman, Founding Partner of Riverhead Law Firm, Dies

Tom Twomey, East Hampton Library Chairman and founding partner of Riverhead law firm Twomey, Latham, Shea, Kelley, Dubin and Quartararo died of a heart attack on Sunday. He was 68.

“The East Hampton Library Board and Staff are deeply saddened by the loss of our Chairman, Tom Twomey,” the East Hampton Library wrote on their Facebook page. “Mr. Twomey was an extraordinary leader who was dedicated to making this one of the greatest small libraries in America.”

An East Hampton resident, Twomey loved the East End since he was a child, when his family would travel to Mattituck from New York City to spend their summer vacations, according to RiverheadLocal.

His love for the East End continued as he became involved with the East Hampton Library as chairman of the trustees, the Guild Hall Cultural Center as a chairman of the executive committee, and the L.I. Farm Bureau, who honored Twomey as “Citizen of the Year” in 2002, RiverheadLocal reports.

“Tom, as he was widely known, possessed the most well rounded attributes of vision, foresight and practical ability,” the East Hampton Library wrote on their Facebook page. “Through 2 decades he led the library through 2 major expansions and transitioned into the 21st century. We do not see the likes of such an extraordinary man often and we luxuriate in the benefits of him to the community and the library.”

He was also passionate about the history of the East End and became greatly involved as the East Hampton town historian, the editor of the East Hampton Library Historical Collection and the editor of Riverhead Free Library’s 2004 book, “Seeking the Past: Writings from 1832-1905 Relating to the History of the Town of Riverhead” according to RiverheadLocal.

In addition, he served as co-chairman of the East Hampton Town 350th Anniversary Committee, and produced a multivolume edition of books on local history, according to The East Hampton Star.

Twomey also built the largest law firm on the East End. He maintained a legal career for over 40 years as the Long Island Farm Bureau’s lawyer and conseling several local municipal boards, according to Newsday.

“I’m devastated,” Joseph Gergela, the farm bureau’s executive director told Newsday. “He was a major player in protecting the farmland . . . and he always looked out for us.”

In his spare time he enjoyed flying his aircraft which he kept at the East Hampton Airport. He was an advocate on behalf of airport interest and was a member of a town committee that was studying future options for the airport, according to The East Hampton Star.

Twomey is survived by his wife of 34 years, former East Hampton Supervisor, Judith Hope; his stepchildren Nisse and Erling Hope; three grandchildren, Soren Hope, Isaiah Aqui and Henry Luka Hope; and by his sisters, Mary Claire Vrtodusic and Florence Cope.

Services will take place on Saturday, Nov. 22 at 1 p.m. at St Luke’s Episcopal Church at 18 James Lane (runs parallel to Main St.), in East Hampton. A reception will follow at East Hampton Point, 295 Three Mile Harbor - Hog Creek Road.

Visitation will take place on Friday, Nov. 21 at Yardley Pino Funeral Home on 94 Pantigo Road in East Hampton from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., and from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Donations can be made to the East Hampton Library, 159 Main St., East Hampton.