Kevin P. Tighe Sr.

"May the road rise up to meet you. May the wind be always at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face; the rains fall soft upon your fields, and until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of His hand."

Kevin Patrick Tighe, 77 of Oxford, Florida passed away on Monday, December 8th, 2025 with family by his side. He was born in Queens, New York on March 16th, 1948 to Nancy and Patrick Tighe.

Kevin was the eldest of 8 siblings growing up in Queens and on Long Island. Brother to Patrick, Danny, Nancy, Brian, Bridget and Karen, and godfather to his youngest sibling, Margaret who is 16 years his junior. Kevin often spoke lovingly of his late twin siblings Bridget and Brian. 

Nancy and Patrick moved Kevin from Queens Village to Levittown, New York where they raised their family in a development of immigrants and WWII veterans. Love, Loyalty and Friendship was ingrained into their lives. Each Sunday was spent with their extended family and they’d often coerce their priest over for dinner with a bottle of whiskey.   

After High School, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1967. While proudly serving the country, Kevin married Joanne Egan in 1970. They raised their three children, Brigette, Kevin and Joseph in Levittown, New York.

Prior to beginning his career in law enforcement in 1972, Kevin worked closely with his Uncle Timmy at a trucking company and would pick up shifts serving tables to earn a Budweiser or two, and to make ends meet to support his family. 

Kevin enjoyed bringing his kids on ski trips to St Jovit and Mont Tremblant over the winter, Lake George over the summer and he spent as much time as possible throughout the years in Florida. He was a bit of a thrill seeker in his younger years, encouraging his children to ride the most terrifying rollercoasters and to “find out what this BMW is made of” when the road was empty, especially on Alligator Alley. No better place than the sunshine state to push limits. Kevin was a masterful storyteller and enjoyed putting pen to paper, often into the wee hours and surprised by the sunrise when he would get into the zone working on his book. Perhaps one of his children will pick up where he left off. 

Some of his proudest professional accomplishments came from years of working his way up the ranks to Captain with Nassau County Sheriff’s Department from 1972 - 1998. Kevin received his bachelor’s degree in Criminal Psychology at NYIT in his first few years as an officer. He was part of a fugitive recovery special task force, a first of its kind operation comprised of his most experienced and trusted colleagues. His dedication to the job shone through, being appointed as the Commanding Officer of the NCSD Training Academy. He was a mentor to many throughout his career but perhaps more importantly to him, he was the guy that regularly pulled pranks on his colleagues and friends. The antics could fill an entire glossary and while the statute of limitations is likely expired, details on frozen paintballs, M80’s and pepper sprayed toilet paper will be shared in a contained environment to maintain plausible deniability. 

Once Kevin retired from “the job”, he couldn’t stay away from public service. Kevin entered private security, working with the Motion Picture Industry as well as in NYC’s diamond district. Kevin was one of the first in line to volunteer during the events of 9/11 and spent several months doing so. 

After years of digging department-issued Crown Victoria's out of the snow, Kevin made his move to sunny Florida where his long term sweetheart Donna awaited. Donna was the light of Kevin’s life. They married in June 2004 and took every opportunity to enjoy their life together, focusing on simple pleasures with friends and family. You could always count on having lots of laughs when spending time at their home or on a trip together. Kevin was very proud to be Stepfather to Donna’s children, Tommy and Josh. 

Kevin spent the last 10+ years of retirement in Oxford, Florida where he found community as part of a veteran’s group. He loved a Bacardi and Diet Coke at a craps table, preferably at “The Beau”  in Biloxi. If you humored him, Kevin would chew your ear off as he boasted about his kids, his daughter in law Tiffany and most of all, his grandchildren, Aidan, Hannah, Abigail, Carly, Ava, Kiley and Sofia. 

Kevin’s services will take place on Thursday, December 18,2025 from 2:00 pm-5:00 pm at Hiers-Baxley Funeral & Cremation Life Event Center - Buffalo Ridge, located at 3975 Wedgewood Lane in The Villages, Florida.  A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 10:00 am on Friday, December 19, 2025 at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, 5323 E County Road 462, Wildwood, FL 34785. He will be laid to rest with his loving wife, Donna at Florida National Cemetery following the Mass with Navy Military Honors.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that contributions be made in Kevin's memory to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

This Bud’s for you, Dad. 

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