Thomas K. Harkins, a former resident of Mattituck, died at St. Catherine of Sienna Medical Center in Smithtown on March 2, 2009. He was 61 years old. Tom was born in Jackson Heights, Queens, on May 31, 1947 to Thomas J. and Katherine (nee Gillespie) Harkins. He was a graduate of St. Dominic's School in Oyster Bay and a U.S. Army veteran.

Formerly of Oyster Bay and Massapequa, he moved to Shelter Island in the late 1990s when he became associated with the DeFriest family and the Shelter Island Funeral Home. He later moved to Mattituck and continued his association with the DeFriest-Grattan Funeral Homes until his retirement three years ago.

"Tom will be deeply missed by the DeFriest and Grattan families. We are grateful for his friendship and dedication to funeral service and for the care and comfort he brought to the families we serve," said Joe Grattan Jr.

Surviving are his sister Patricia A. Mattson of Barnard, VT, and Pinehurst, NC; and a niece, Jeanne Kennie of Cape Cod, MA.

The family received friends at the DeFriest-Grattan in Mattituck where religious services were conducted by the Rev. George Gaffga. Interment Our Lady of Grace RC Cemetery, Bantam, CT.