Thomas D. Gidley

Thomas Dunne Gidley Esquire, 91, of Bristol, Rhode Island passed away surrounded by family at Hope Hospice on Sunday, January 25.  Tom was predeceased by his parents, Edwin Lewis Gidley and Dorothy Dunne Gidley, and stepson Matthew Rohloff Vohr. Tom was the devoted husband of Betty Vohr- Gidley, MD; proud father of ; son Thomas Edwin Gidley and partner Janet, David Waterman Gidley and wife Jeanine; stepdaughter Jennifer Lynn Vohr Hurley and husband Lane; stepson Jonathan Larrison Vohr and partner Molly; and grandchildren Luke Gidley and Michaela Hurley, MD

Tom was born March 13,1934 in New Jersey. He graduated from Millburn High School and received a bachelor’s degree cum laude in English from Dartmouth College. Tom served in US Army National Guard, achieving the rank of Captain. 

Tom would go on to earn his law degree from Yale and launch a successful law career. He began by practicing law with Providence’s Hinckley Allen law firm for 25 years, before co-founding the firm Gidley, Lovegreen, and Sarli in 1985. They were subsequently joined by Jim Marusak Esq.  Tom was a dedicated trial lawyer, specializing in medical malpractice defense. He was a member of Board of Federal Examiners, District of Rhode Island, 1984-1994. He received the Order of Commendation from the Supreme Court of Rhode Island. Tom was an Adjunct Faculty member of the Graduate Program in Health Services Administration of Salve Regina University (formerly Salve Regina College), from 1979-2020. Tom was also a member of the Rhode Island Legislative Commission on Medical Malpractice, from 1985-1986; and a member of Rhode Island and American Bar Associations’ American Academy of Hospital Attorneys. Tom was nominated and became a member of the American College of Trial Lawyers. He retired from law practice on January 1st 2000.

Tom loved to read, especially English literature. After retiring from a successful law career, Tom decided to go back to school at University of Rhode Island get his masters’ and doctorate’s degrees in English literature. Tom and his wife Betty flew to London for him to gather data for his dissertation on the work of Sir Leslie Stephen. Tom was the oldest person to receive his PhD at graduation at University of Rhode Island.  He went on to serve as an adjunct writing professor at URI until 2021.

Upon his second retirement, Tom delighted in participating in the Barrington Congregational Church and its book club. Tom enjoyed living on the water and cruising on his boat the Thornbury throughout Narragansett Bay and the offshore Islands.  He joined the Coast Guard Auxiliary, where he enjoyed going on patrols, and sharing his love of boating with others. Tom was also an active member of the local ROMEO (Really Old Men Eating Out) luncheon club. Tom also loved traveling and cruising with his wife Betty.

The service will be held at the Barrington Congregational Church at 11:00 AM on February 7, 2026. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the RI Food Bank.