Thomas F. Hoban 80, of Waltham formerly of New Fairfield CT. and Needham died on Friday December 12, 2003 at the Caratis St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center in Boston. Born in Lowell, Mr. Hoban resided in Needham from 1958-1978 later moving to New Fairfield CT until 1996 spending the last 7 years in Waltham. He graduated from Cambridge High’s Latin School in 1941, Boston University in 1951 and later received his Masters in Engineering from Northeastern University in 1957. During WWII Thomas was a pilot in the Navel Air Corp where he flew PBY’s. From 1952-1958 Thomas was the Research Associate at Boston University Physical Research Laboratory. In 1958 Mr. Hoban went to work for Itek Corporation where he was the project manager for many camera development programs retiring in 1976 as Vice President of Programs and Operations. During this time Thomas served on the Itek Management team that led to the development and production of the United States first satellite reconnaissance camera during the period 1959-1972. These cameras took over 800,000 photographs of the Soviet Union and related Iron Curtain countries which gave the U.S. an unequivocal index of the Soviet military and satellite missile capabilities. The information that was obtained was key to reaching a Strategic Arms Limitation (Salt) agreement and maintained peace during the Cold War. In 1977 Mr. Hoban went with Perkins Elmer Corporation in Danbury CT where he was the liaison working with government. He retired in 1987. An avid golfer, and member of the Needham Golf Club, he as a former member of the Wellesley Golf Club and the Ridgewood Golf Club in CT. He was a also a member of the Columbian Lodge AF & AM. Thomas was the beloved husband of Thalia (Markante) Hoban. Loving father of Thomas A. and his wife Maureen of Needham, Wendy L. and her husband Christopher Crowell of Medfield and Meredith H. and her husband Jack Dunn of Westwood. Brother of Martha Holmes of Fairfax VA and the late Susan Conti. Grandfather of Jennifer Hoban, Allison Crowell and Adriana and Andrew Dunn. A memorial service will be held on Wednesday at the Eaton Funeral Home 1351 Highland Ave Needham on Wednesday Dec. 17th at 11:00 AM. Relatives and friends are kindly invited. Visiting hours Tuesday 5-8 PM. Interment services will take place on Thursday at the Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne at 11:15 AM. In lieu of flowers memorials in Thomas’s memory may be made to the American Cancer Society 30 Speen St. Framingham Ma 01701 or to your favorite charity.