Thomas H. Hirtle, 61, a retired Lieutenant for the Malden Fire Department, passed away suddenly on January 23rd, 2010. He was born in Everett on December 21st, 1948 to his parents Harold and Helen (Sullivan) Hirtle. Tom was raised in Malden and is a graduate of Malden High School, Class of 1966. He attended Boston College and later earned an Associate Degree in Fire Science from Bunker Hill College. Tom served his country honorably during the Vietnam War as a Lieutenant in the United States Air Force. He was a proud member of the Malden Fire Department, rising to the rank of Lieutenant during his 35 years of service to the city. While his children were young, he volunteered his time as a Pop Warner Football Coach and a Little League Baseball Coach in Malden. Thomas was an avid golfer. He loved the game so much that after his retirement from the Fire Department, he became the manager of the pro shop at the Chelmsford Country Club. He enjoyed traveling with family and friends over the years and especially enjoyed the time spent with his grandchildren. He is survived by his wife; Linda S. (Sutherland) Hirtle; by his children; Matthew Hirtle and his wife Maryellen of Tewksbury and Scott Hirtle of Lowell; by his grandchildren James, Alec and Sean Hirtle of Tewksbury; by his parents Harold and Helen (Sullivan) Hirtle of Malden; and by his sisters; Cathy Cashton of Malden and Linda Tyler of New Hampshire. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews. Relatives and friends are invited to attend his funeral from the Breslin Funeral Home, 610 Pleasant St., Malden on Thursday January 28th at 8 AM followed by a Funeral Mass celebrated at Immaculate Conception Church, 600 Pleasant St., Malden at 9 AM. Visiting hours will be held at the funeral home on Wednesday January 27th from 4-8 PM. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the Malden Firefighters Local 902 IAFF Benevolent Fund, 1 Sprague St., Malden, MA 02148.