Thomas Francis Clune : Short Biography

Thomas Francis Clune was the oldest son of Thomas Clune and Maria Fallon Clune, Irish emigrants from Tyredagh Upper, Tulla, County Clare and County Roscommon, respectively.  He was born in Norwalk on 23 November 1873 and he grew up there attending St. Mary's School and later Norwalk High School.  Thomas was a gifted baseball pitcher and was noted as being one of the best college pitchers in the country during his time at St. Bonaventure College.  He graduated in 1893 and pursued further studies at the University of Leuvain in Belgium.  He returned to the U.S. and completed a dentistry degree at the New York Dental College, becoming fully qualified in 1898.  He set up practice at 15 West Avenue and he built up a well-established and successful dentistry practice where he was known as not only a skilled professional in his field, but also for his benevolence and kindness to newly arrived Irish emigrants who could not always afford to pay for his services.

Dr Clune ran for mayor of Norwalk in 1915 on the Democratic party ticket but lost the election.  He continued to serve in his community and was a member of the Norwalk Board of Education, the Catholic Councill, the Knights of Columbus and the Ancient Order of Hibernians.  He also served for a number of years as a delegate at the State Democratic conventions in CT. 

Dr. Clune became ill in 1930 and died on 1 June 1931.  He was mourned by many and his funeral service was noted in the Norwalk Hour and other local papers.  He never married and is buried with his parents and his baby sister at St. Mary's Cemetery in Norwalk, CT.