Tom McNee had a special place in the life of Seaham. He was the Town's senior historian. He spent many years bringing Seaham's rich history to life with his meticulous research, vivid writing and his understanding of people.
St John's Church, Seaham Harbour, was packed for his funeral on the morning of Friday 16th October 1998. The pouring rain outside hadn't deterred friends, colleagues and former pupils from turning out in force.
Some weren't even close friends. When asked how well he knew Tom, Larry Phillips simply said,
"He wouldn't know me at all. I was a pupil of Toms at Deneside School over 30 years ago. He had such an influence on me at that time, I just felt I wanted to be here to pay my respects."
Tom came to Seaham as a boy when he and his parents moved here from Falkirk in Scotland, but born in Seaham or not Tom would be proud to be called a "Harbour Lad" which he undoubtedly was. He loved the Seaham and it's people and was a great ambassador for the Town. All his life he gave to the town, as a teacher and Head Teacher, as a sporting coach, as a writer and as a fantastic story-teller of past life & times in Seaham.
Tom became a teacher at Deneside Junior School and stayed for 33 years before retiring as Head.
He was well known for his love of football and worked hard to ensure that schools football was prominent in the town. He was a good friend of Seaham Neighbourhood Football, ensuring that the playing field facilities which were needed were made available. Tom was a life-long supporter of Sunderland Football Club and rarely missed a home game.
Local butcher, David Angus, who produced two books on Seaham's history with Tom was quoted in the Sunderland Echo as saying, "Few towns are lucky enough to have known a man like Tom. He took special interest in Seaham's history and the memories of its people.He leaves a legacy of many books and pamphlets, which contain numerous stories which would otherwise have been lost or forgotten. To many individuals he also leaves the legacy of having influenced their lives through his kindness, friendship and generosity"
A few days before Tom died, he was a guest of Seaham Harbour Dock Company at their 100th Anniversary. He remarked that his health had improved recently though a short time before he had been able to say thank you to the Town Council for arranging a reception to honour his contribution to the town. "I was embarrassed", he said," at not even being able to say thank you. I don't think I can remember a time when I was lost for words."
Tom expressed concern that he was no longer able at 80 to work the way he had done but was simply told, "Tom, you have nothing to prove, you have been a tremendous asset to the town and you and your work will always be remembered". Of that there can be no doubt.
Ed Mason,Seaham Harbour Online