Thomas Ahern

   COLUMBIA, Md. — Retired Marine Corps Col. Thomas J. Ahern, 83, died Wednesday, Sept. 6, at Howard County General Hospital.
   Born in Arlington, Mass., he lived in Lawrenceville 27 years before moving to Columbia in 1990.
   He joined the Marines in 1939 and was a veteran of World War II, serving at Pearl Harbor. He received the Legion of Merit award, two Distinguished Flying Crosses, a Bronze Star and eight Air medals.
   He had been commander of the Naval ROTC at Princeton University from 1963 to 1966. He retired from the Marines in 1966 and worked 10 years with the New Jersey State Library and Department of Education. He enjoyed playing golf.
   Son of the late Charles and Josephine Connolly Ahern, brother of the late Robert and husband of the late Rita Mary Regan Ahern, he is survived by a daughter and son-in-law, Mary Ellen and Brandon Leopold; two sons, Thomas Jr. and Stephen and his companion Penny Watkins; a brother, Charles; and a sister, Ruth Shannon.
   The funeral will be noon Monday, Sept. 10, at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, Columbia.
   Burial will be 3 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 3, at Arlington National Cemetery, Virginia.
   Memorial contributions may be made to the American Lung Association, 1840 York Road, Timonium, MD 21093.
   Arrangements were by Slack Funeral Home.