KILMARNOCK—Thomas Neal Hoar, known as “Tommy” to his friends and family, passed away peacefully on January 27, 2026, in Kilmarnock at the age of 70.
Born on December 4, 1955, in Williamsburg, Tommy grew up in Norge and carried the values of that close-knit community with him throughout his life.
Tommy began dedicating his life to serving others by volunteering with James City-Bruton Volunteer Fire and EMS starting at age 16 in 1972 and then becoming a paid firefighter in 1979 with James City County. His commitment to public service extended to Deltaville, where he also volunteered and was later honored with a lifetime membership award. The fire service was truly his passion and he was always found proudly sporting a fire department t-shirt from his extensive collection.
In 1988, Tommy and his wife Penny moved to Deltaville with their son Neal to pursue their shared passion for sailing. Their time on the water was filled with joy and adventure until 1992 when a tragic snow-skiing accident during a family vacation left Tommy severely injured—an event from which he never fully recovered. Despite this life-altering moment, the strength of his spirit and the devotion of his family remained constant.
In addition to his work in public safety, Tommy was a talented mason and owner of Thomas N. Hoar Masonry. Many of his intricate brick projects still stand today, a lasting testament to his craftsmanship and attention to detail.
Tommy was preceded in death by his parents, Bobby Neal Hoar and Mary Catherine Spence Hoar.
He is survived by his devoted wife and childhood sweetheart, Patricia “Penny” Stone Hoar; his son, Thomas Neal Hoar II and daughter-in-law, Emily Ficklin Hoar; his cherished grandchildren, Thomas Neal Hoar III and Madison Layne Hoar; and his brother, David Hoar.
A celebration of life will be held from 2-4 p.m. Saturday, February 7, at James City Station 1 in Toano, where family, friends and fellow firefighters will gather to honor his life and service.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Deltaville Fire Department at LMVFD, P.O. Box 440, Deltaville, VA 23043; or the James City-Bruton Volunteer Fire Department, 3135 Forge Road, Toano, VA 23168 or toanovolunteers.org.
Currie Funeral Home LLC of Kilmarnock handled the arrangements.
