BURLINGTON, Mass. — Thomas “Tom” F. Bailey, 73, longtime resident of Billerica, Mass., died unexpectedly Thursday surrounded by his loving family at Lahey Clinic in Burlington, Mass.

He was born in Lewiston on Aug. 5, 1937. He was the cherished oldest son of the late Donald and Marjorie Bailey. He married Mary (MacLean) Bailey in 1959 and moved to Billerica 42 years ago.

He served in the U.S. Navy from 1956 to 1960. He retired in 2006 as a production manager for a small manufacturing company in Waltham and later worked part-time for O’Connor Hardware in Billerica Center.

He was involved with Billerica town politics for many years and also took great pleasure working as a set builder for the Billerica High School music department’s annual high school musical.

His greatest love was his family. He adored spending time with his grandchildren. He loved sailing, gardening, model ship building, spending time with close friends and was always helpful and caring to others.

Besides his beloved wife of 51 years, he is survived by his son, Parker G. Bailey and his wife, Michelle Bailey, of Billerica, Mass.; his daughter, Heather Sue Murphy and her husband, John Murphy, of Chelmsford, Mass.; his son-in-law, Joseph Chaitin of Chelmsford, Mass.; his brother, Jack Bailey and his sister-in-law, Judy Mallett, of Maine; his sister, Donna LaLonde, of Maine; his brother-in-law, James Young of Maine; his deeply loving grandchildren, Kristen Marie Bailey, Parker Stephen Bailey and Emma Bailey Chaitin, and his step-grandchildren, Alexander, Connor and Grace Murphy.