01940 Spring 2024

SPRING 2024 | 19
Coast. He was a golf professional at Pembroke
Country Club and lived the life of a typical
pro, wintering in Florida where he played
professionally and returning north when the
golf season opened. Second only to golf, Tom
loved cars and he crafted that passion into a
40-year career as a luxury salesperson at several
local dealerships.
By all accounts, Tom was a devoted family
man, especially when it came to Ashley’s school
and sports activities. Kathy was well-know
about town. She worked in the Planning Board
office for many years.
Select Board member Dick Dalton said
that he knew Tom only casually, but he worked
closely with Kathy during his 15 years on the
board.
“She was a sweetheart who was always
happy, a typical working mother who talked
about her daughter who she adores, and her
family, just a really solid, salt-of-the-earth-type
family,” Dalton said.
Lynnfield realtor Ellen Crawford bought a
car from Tom.
“Tom was professional, courteous, and
knowledgeable,” she said. “I trusted his advice
which proved to be a great decision, that car
was a perfect fit and he was so honest.”
Nan Hockenbury was extremely close with
the family. She was a classmate of Kathy’s at
Lynnfield High. Years later, the families became
neighbors on Carter Road.
“He was just a great guy, the best, kind,
generous, anything you think of a perfect
person,” Hockenbury said. “When Kathy told
my husband (Joe Miglio) and me about it, we
were surprised, but it didn’t matter to
us — Tommy was just always Tom to us. The
robbery was a way out for him. If you could
get the money, you just do it and disappear. I
believe that’s what happened.”
Ashley agrees. She made it clear that, while
many theorized the bank robbery was Conrad’s
attempt to emulate the main character in “The
Thomas Crown Affair,” a 1968 film about
a wealthy Boston businessman pulling off a
bank heist, her father’s motive had nothing to
do with the movie. Instead, it stemmed from a
desperate desire to escape an abusive stepfather
and start a new life.
“My dad’s motivation really was because
he was in such a bad spot… He was always
looking for a loving, stable family and that’s
what he built,” she said.
Unfortunately for Kathy and Ashley, that
stability went up in smoke after Tom died.
“Mom and I decided to wait about a year
(before going to the authorities) because maybe
the grief would be a little bit less,” she said.
She said she knew Pete Elliot, the U.S.
marshall for the Northern District of Ohio, was
still on the case. He had inherited the case from
his father, U.S. Marshal John Elliot, who spent
decades chasing tips only to run into dead ends.
While Ashley felt “bad”and “guilty,” she and
her mom thought it was best to keep Tom’s
secret to themselves before revealing it to the
authorities.
“I knew we had to eventually because the
HIDING, continued on page 23
Quality Foods, Affordable Prices
and Great Service Since 1978
Meat & Seafood Delivered Daily • Fruit Baskets For Any Occasion
Deli & Specialty Sandwiches Made To Order Fresh Daily
Catering For All Party Needs • Custom Cakes • Italian Specialties,
Bakery Cookies, Pastries & Breads Made Fresh Daily
415 MAIN STREET • WAKEFIELD • (781) 245 • 9797
TheFarmland.com