Rockport - Thomas Gerard Caulfield, of Rockport, MA, passed away peacefully, surrounded by loved ones, on May 9th, 2026. He was one day shy of 85 years old.

Born on May 10, 1941, in Dublin, Ireland, Tom was the beloved son of the late James and Gertrude Caulfield. He immigrated to the United States on a religious vocation and pursued his studies at Stonehill College and the University of Notre Dame. He taught at St. Peter's School in Gloucester, continuing his service when the school became the Fuller School. In the early 1970s, he left the Holy Cross Fathers and in 1972 married Gunilla K. Hellstrom, a fellow immigrant from Stockholm, Sweden. They remained married for the rest of their lives.

In his life's second act: Tom enjoyed a long and rewarding career at Varian Ion Implant Systems, where he formed many lasting friendships. A naturalized United States citizen, he embraced his adopted home with gratitude and enthusiasm.

He is predeceased by his loving wife Gunilla, his brother, James, and his sister Marie.

He is survived by his brother Frank Caulfield and his wife, Trish as well as his Swedish in-laws Elisabet and Leif Malmberg and Lena and Anders Sparring. He is also survived by his children: Mark David Kanegis, James Alexander Caulfield, and Katrina Elisabet Wightman, their spouses and his five cherished grandchildren, Elisabet, Lachlain, Aithne, Neve and Gunnar. His grandchildren were the light of his life and granted him renewed purpose and a wellspring of happiness in his twilight years.

Tom had a deep love for the outdoors, travel, good food, and antiques. An avid amateur geologist, he particularly enjoyed rock-hounding for semi-precious stones across New England. He was a lifelong artisan with a passion for woodworking. Tom was an intensely private person but he strongly believed that there wasn't an interpersonal problem that could not be solved over ice cream and he never met a dog he didn't like.

A devoted husband, father, grandfather, and friend, Tom will be remembered for his kindness, curiosity, and appreciation for life's simple pleasures. His family is grateful for the many years they shared with him and for the rich legacy of adventure, love and values he leaves behind.

Memorial services will be private. There will be a celebration of life, open to friends and public to be scheduled at a later date.

Arrangements by the Greely Funeral Home, 212 Washington Street, Gloucester. For online condolences, please visit www.greelyfuneralhome.com.