Dr. Thomas A. Caldwell, DMD, age 85, of Hingham, formerly of Lexington and Concord, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Sunday, February 4, 2024. He was the devoted husband for 54 years of Sharon (Malloy) Caldwell.

Tom was born in Concord, MA on October 30, 1938 as the son of the late Malcolm and Bertha (Lorimer) Caldwell. After graduating from Concord High School with the class of 1957, Tom attended the University of Massachusetts and then graduated from Tufts University School of Dental Medicine in 1965. He served an Internship in Oral Surgery at Yale-New Haven General Hospital in New Haven, CT followed by a Residency at Philadelphia General Hospital, where he served as Chief Resident. He received his Board Certification from the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery in 1972.

A retired Lieutenant Colonel, Tom was Chief of Oral Surgery at the U.S. Army Hospital in Heidelberg, W. Germany from 1969 until 1972. While in the reserves, he was assigned to the 351st General Hospital at Hanscom AFB for over twenty years. In 1991, he served on active duty while stationed at Fort Hood in Killeen, Texas.

Tom was a founding partner of Cail-Caldwell Associates, a private oral surgery practice in Concord and Lexington until his retirement in 2005. During his professional life, he was affiliated with Emerson Hospital in Concord, MA and the Veteran's Administration Hospital in Manchester, NH.

He was a member of the American Dental Association, American College of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, and the Association of Military Surgeons of the United States. Tom selflessly volunteered on several trips with the 1000 Smiles Project, an organization that provides free dental care to thousands of people in Jamaica and St. Lucia.

Tom will be lovingly remembered as a true New Englander who was hard-working, practical, and down-to-earth. He had a great sense of humor. His warm, welcoming demeanor never wavered, and he always loved a good joke.

A family man, his proudest accomplishment was fulfilling his roles as dedicated husband, father, and grandfather. Tom and Sharon loved to travel and did so extensively within the US and abroad. They collected dear friends wherever they spent time. Tom was involved with many of his kids' activities; he coached various sports teams, was a Boy Scout leader, and attended innumerable sporting events and theatrical performances. Affectionately known as "Gaga" to his beloved grandchildren, Tom took great pride in their activities and never passed up an opportunity to watch another generation of school and sporting events. He taught several grandchildren to ski and he enthusiastically took them on hiking and camping trips. A camp director at heart, he was always coming up with a new game, competition, or adventure to share with them.

Never one to sit still, Tom had many hobbies over the years including hiking, skiing, camping, running road races, photography, woodworking, and beekeeping. In addition, he obtained a private pilot license and learned how to sail. There was nothing beyond his reach and he was always looking for the next experience.

Above all else, Tom was happiest spending time with family and friends at the lake house in Meredith, NH. It was here that he cultivated family values and traditions that will remain in place by those he loved.

In addition to his wife, he will be forever missed by his three children, Dr. Gregory Caldwell and his wife Lynne of Winchester, Kristine O'Keeffe and her husband Colin of Duxbury and Andrea Beaulieu and her husband Marc of Hingham, his grandchildren, Claire, Sean, Andrew and Brendan Caldwell, Caroline, Lizzie and Norah O'Keeffe, and Griffin and Kate Beaulieu, as well as several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his sister Jean, and brothers Malcolm, Bruce, Douglas and Richard.

Family and friends are invited to gather for visiting hours on Thursday, February 15th from 4 to 7 pm at Dee Funeral Home, 27 Bedford Street, Concord Center. His funeral service will be held on Friday, February 16th at 11 am in Trinitarian Congregational Church, 54 Walden Street, Concord Center. Private burial will be at Oakland Cemetery in Meredith, NH.

Concord's Town Flag will fly at half-staff on Friday, February 16, 2024 in honor of Tom's service in the United States Army.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to Wounded Warrior Project or The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research .

Arrangements are entrusted to Dee Funeral Home & Cremation Service of Concord.