CAPE ELIZABETH – Thomas Octavius McInerney, 61, of Cape Elizabeth, died unexpectedly at his home on Feb. 10, 2023. He was a beloved husband, father, brother, friend, and doctor.

The youngest of Dr. Robert and Gloria (Monahan) McInerney’s eight children, Tom was born on Nov. 12, 1961, in Pittsfield, Mass. Tom and his siblings grew up in a house full of books and discussions and were active in all seasons. It was here in the Berkshire hills that Tom learned to appreciate the wonder of nature and the joys of being outdoors.

A member of Pittsfield High School’s class of ‘79, Tom went on to study Biology and play Varsity Soccer at Bates College, where he graduated in 1983. Not wanting to follow in his father’s footsteps, he spent seven years teaching and coaching then working in research labs at Tufts University and Mass General Hospital…before following in his father’s footsteps and enrolling at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, where he graduated in 1993. He completed his residency at Maine Medical Center and preferring the pace and quality of life that Maine offered, made his home here.

“He was the only one who didn’t eventually drive you nuts,” remembers his brother Joseph fondly. Tom’s sense of humor is family legend. Each sibling has countless stories of antics that span his lifetime. Each story is suffused with Tom’s evident kindness, infectious happiness, and love of life.

Tom met his wife, Heidi, while living in Boston, Mass. Although they first met through a mutual friend before meeting again a year later at the Beacon Hill Pub, Tom took great delight in telling people that “I picked her up in a bar.” They were married in 1990 and moved to Maine in 1993, where they raised their two children. He adored being a father and took such pleasure in watching them grow.

As Dr. McInerney, he set a path of his own, guided by principle, purpose, and empathy. A doctor of internal medicine, he worked at MaineHealth Cape Elizabeth. He greatly loved his co-workers, with whom he shared pranks and laughter, and his patients, with whom he was honored to share their lives.

After watching Forks Over Knives in 2011, he was struck by the power of diet and exercise to mitigate common disease and, after reading numerous books and studies, became convinced of it. In Fall 2022, he became Board-certified in Lifestyle Medicine.

The love of nature and curiosity about the natural world that he nurtured as a young man grew to a deep respect and concern for the environment as an older one. Early on, he closely followed and adopted the miracle of renewable energy and worked to reduce his carbon footprint. Tom was moved by the hope that we could make the world a better place for the generations to come.
Tom is survived by his wife, Heidi (Gesner) McInerney; children Ian and Abby, future daughter-in-law, Grace Benz; siblings Alice McInerney, Eileen McInerney, Michael McInerney, Joseph McInerney, Patrick McInerney, and Beth (McInerney) Clarke.

Thomas is predeceased by his father and mother, Robert and Gloria McInerney; as well as his brother, Peter McInerney.
Family and friends are welcomed to attend a celebration of Tom’s life at the First Parish Universal Unitarian Church, 425 Congress St., Portland on Thursday, Feb. 16 at 2 p.m.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.hobbsfuneralhome.com.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in his name to the Portland Free Clinic, where Tom volunteered the first Tuesday of each month.