Thomas L. Kiley, 76, passed away peacefully on March 27, 2023.
Tom and his wife Kitsey met in high school and lived in New Castle County their whole lives until moving to the Annapolis, MD area to be near their daughter and her family.
Tom attended Salesianum High School and Brandywine High School, graduating from Brandywine in 1964. He then attended High Point University and the University of Delaware, graduating from the latter in 1972. While at High Point, Tom was a track and field walk-on who set school, conference and district records in the high jump. Tom also held the Delaware AAU high jump record and jokingly noted that he will forever hold the sawdust record for Baynard Stadium that he set in 1968, the year before landing mats were introduced.
Tom served as a Sergeant E-5 in the US Army from 1968-1970 during the Viet Nam era, stationed in the Republic of Korea. After the Army and college, Tom worked at The Concord Forge in Chadds Ford, PA with his father and brother, creating and installing architectural and ornamental ironwork, including many pieces that still grace the finest homes in Chester County, PA, New Castle County, DE and Cape May, NJ. Tom then worked at industrial companies specializing in machine tools and the management of fabrication shops for nearly a decade. He shifted gears to focus on his growing interest in antiques and was an Estate Purchase Coordinator within the region for over another decade.
In his later years, Tom enjoyed vacationing in Maine and Cape May, coin collecting, playing poker and bridge and driving his Mustang convertible. He was a lifelong golfer, playing with family throughout his life, including his wife’s family, his daughter and son-in-law, and with his grandsons on the course and at the range on a few occasions. Before that, Tom was a constant presence at his daughter’s school track and cross county meets and an endless supporter of hers on and off the track. He took much pride in his family, past and present.
Mr. Kiley is survived by his daughter Adrienne Kiley Noel and husband Patrick and their two sons; sister-in-law Patricia Kiley (Malloy); nephew Michael Kiley-Zufelt and husband Jim; niece Barbara Griffith (Kiley) and her children and grandchildren; niece Courtenay Hoernemann (Harris) and husband Todd and their children; and niece Stephanie Steiner (Harris) and husband John. Mr. Kiley was predeceased by his beloved wife of nearly 50 years, Kathryn “Kitsey” Kiley (Gary); his parents Daniel Kiley and Helen Kiley (McKinney); his brother Daniel Kiley; and his sister and brother-in-law Barbara Harris (Kiley) and Norman Harris.
Friends and family are invited to visit on Sunday, April 2, 2023 from 4-6pm at the McCrery & Harra Funeral Home, 3924 Concord Pike, Wilmington, DE. All are welcome to attend a graveside service and internment on Monday, April 3, 2023 at 10:30am at All Saints Cemetery, 6001 Kirkwood Highway, Wilmington, DE.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the American Cancer Society (https://donate.cancer.org).
