103-year-old Loomis Village Resident Who Survived 1918 Flu Pandemic Receives COVID-19 Vaccine

SOUTH HADLEY — Tom McAuley, a veteran and 103-year-old resident of Loomis Village, made history by receiving his COVID-19 vaccine at the South Hadley continuing-care retirement community.

McAuley was born in Boston during the flu pandemic of 1918. He later moved to Feeding Hills prior to becoming a resident of Loomis Village, where he continues to live independently.

McAuley served four years in the U.S. Air Force, and later became vice president of Johnson & Johnson. He has two sons, one who lives locally and another in Arizona.

The Loomis Communities, which consists of three campuses, Applewood in Amherst, Loomis Lakeside at Reeds Landing in Springfield, and Loomis Village in South Hadley, began vaccinating residents earlier in January, and will soon begin second doses of the vaccine. Clinics will continue every three weeks through February to ensure all residents and team members who want a vaccine can receive one.