Coping with Grief
We would like to offer our sincere support to anyone coping with grief. Enter your email below for our complimentary daily grief messages. Messages run for up to one year and you can stop at any time. Your email will not be used for any other purpose.
Tom passed away on Saturday, JULY 19, 2025, surrounded by his loving friends and family after a 10 year journey as an LVAD recipient who went through – as Tom used to say – just “bumps in the road.”
Tom was an extremely kind, gentle generous man who gave of himself any time a need arose always looking to help.
A positive faith-filled man who loved his family. Though he and Carol didn’t have children of their own he took great pleasure in his nephews, nieces, great nieces and nephews – so proud of them all.
Tom was a Master electrician owning his own business for 25 years before retiring due to declining health.
A proud and devout Catholic he was an active communicant and volunteer at St. John Chrysostom Parish until becoming ill. He was a devoted member of the Knights of Columbus, elected to serve in executive positions culminating in serving as the Mass. State Council State Deputy. He also served as a liaison between the Knights of Columbus and the seminarians in the Greater Boston area.
Tom was a friend of Bill Wilson for over 35 years forging many friendships.
Until physically unable Tom loved to travel and explore new places. He and Carol traveled extensively throughout the US – many times on road trips as Tom loved to drive. Trips to Europe and cruises to the islands.
Tom’s health journey was always supported by his family, friends and neighbors
Pre-deceased by his parents William and Mary Ledbetter, Brother William and his surviving wife Carol,, sister Ellen and her surviving husband Paul Whittaker, and nephew William Whittaker
Survived by his devoted wife of 49 years Carol
Brother Paul Ledbetter of Hyde Park,
Sisters in Law Carol Ledbetter of Norwood
Joyce Cassidy (Jim) of Roslindale
Linda Moran (Jack) of West Roxbury
June Enos (Ed) of Needham
Paul Whittaker- brother in law of New Jersey
Numerous nieces, nephews, grand nieces and nephews and many close friends, a few of whom were his constant companions helping him in his health journey for the last 10 years - Tony, Ed, Doug, Edgar and Scotty as well as Bernie and his dear friend and caregiver Sylvie.
Immense gratitude for the many years of extraordinary care and compassion Tom received on his Health journey at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital/Shapiro with the LVAD team and cardiovascular mechanical circulatory support service and Doctors as well as all staff on Shapiro 7East – Tom referred to as his Summer or Winter Residence depending on time of year he was admitted. He also received great care through the MGH HomeCare
Funeral from the Robert J. Lawler and Crosby Funeral Home, 1803 Centre Street, West Roxbury on Thursday July 24, at 9:00 am.
Followed by A Mass of Christian Burial at St John Chrysostom, 4750 Washington Street, West Roxbury at 10:00 am.
Visiting hours in the funeral home on Wednesday July 23, from 4:00 to 7:00 PM. Interment Mt. Benedict Cemetery.
In lieu of Flowers donations may be made to:
The Mechanical Circulatory Support Program at Brigham and Women’s Hospital with “In Memory of Thomas Ledbetter” in the memo line and sent to: Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Development Office, 263 Huntington Ave., #318, Boston, MA 02115 or by visiting bwhgiving.org/memorial to make an online memorial gift The Fund Number is 106579
Or St. John Chrysostom Parish, 4750 Washington Street, West Roxbury MA