Thomas Tigue
American politician (1945–2016)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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.
August 24, 1945
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. |
| 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
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
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
Death
Tigue died on February 1, 2016, from Stage IV lung cancer.[13]
