Thomas James Prior, 86, of Manchester, husband of the late Lynn Varney Prior, left this life for the promise of eternal life on Friday October 21, 2017 following a lengthy battle with cancer. Tommy was born September 20, 1931 in McKeesport, Pennsylvania the son of the late James and Frances Dowden Prior and had resided most of his life in Manchester. Tommy attended local schools and following his 1949 graduation from Manchester High School, he earned his college degree at the University of Connecticut. He is a US Air Force veteran, flying as a navigator with the Pacific Division of the Military Air Transport Service. Following his military service, Tommy attended law school earning his law degree in 1961 at Stetson University College of Law in Saint Petersburg, Florida. As an attorney he initially engaged in the private practice of general law for several years and subsequently became an Assistant State's Attorney for a number of years. As a teenage sports enthusiast Tommy learned to appreciate the values as well as the challenges of the game of golf. He especially liked both the competition and the camaraderie of tournament golf and enjoyed playing at the local, state, and regional levels. Tommy navigated his life relying on an inner compass pointing to the right path, not the easy, or the popular, or the convenient path. He leaves this legacy of honorable living with his son John and wife Michelle of Coventry, his daughter Mary Kozicki of Willington, and his son Dan of Tega Cay, South Carolina. He also leaves behind him his five grandchildren Austin, Joshua, Christopher, Matthew, and Amy. His sister Cynthia also survives him and his brother Jimmy pre-deceased him. Calling hours will be held at the John F. Tierney Funeral Home 219 West Center St. Manchester on Wednesday, October 25th from 5-8 p.m. A Mass to celebrate his life will be will be held at St. James Church 896 Main St. Manchester on Thursday at 10:00 a.m. Burial will be private and at the convenience of his family. In lieu of flowers and in respect of Tom's wishes memorial donations may be made to The Saint Vincent DePaul Society of Saint James or the Hole in the Wall Gang Camp in Ashford, Connecticut. For online condolences please visit www.tierneyfuneralhome.com.