WILMINGTON – Timothy J. Noonan, mostly known as “Tim” or “Timmy,” passed away on Sept. 3, 2016. He died peacefully at his home in North Carolina, surrounded by love after bravely fighting a very rare lung disease.
Mr. Noonan was born in Lowell, Massachusetts. Oct. 31, 1939, the son of the late Timothy J. Noonan Sr. and Helen R. (Devaney) Noonan. He was preceded in death by his brother, Thomas, and his former wife Arlene.
He is survived by his loving wife, Lori Urban Noonan; daughter, Kathleen Lynne Naman and husband David; stepson, Eric Hausmann and wife Katie; stepdaughter, Christine Hausmann and fiancé Luke Bruin; sister, Barbara Whittaker and husband Carleton; sister-in-law, Mary Noonan; one granddaughter, Alison Naman; and four nieces and their children.
He was raised in Salem, Massachusetts, and lived primarily on the North Shore of Boston and Concord, Massachusetts. He and his wife Lori moved to Wilmington last year.
Mr. Noonan joined GE in 1963 after completing four years in the Air Force. His leadership qualities allowed him to ascend quickly within the Lynn, Massachusetts, aviation business. He was instrumental in starting up a new GE satellite plant in Wilmington in 1980. He returned to Lynn after several years, where he was responsible for all manufacturing and assembly in the Northeast.
As General Manager, he was known for his commitment to excellence, staff development and strong leadership. In 2008, after retirement he was inducted into the GE Jet Propulsion Hall of Fame – an honor of which he was extremely proud.
He absolutely loved his work, his family and friends with great intensity. He was always generous with his time and his heart. In addition, he was very community-minded and was a former trustee of Salem Hospital, an overseer of the Peabody Essex Museum and was Chairman of the North Shore Cancer Walk for two years. He touched many lives throughout his life.
A service will be held at 1 p.m., on Saturday, Sept. 10, at Andrews Valley Chapel 4108 S. College Rd., Wilmington, NC, followed with a reception at his home. In November, a memorial service will be held in Salem, Massachusetts, at the Immaculate Conception Church. Details will be forthcoming.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the local hospice: Lower Cape Fear Hospice 1414 Physicians Drive, Wilmington, NC 28401.