Remembering Thomas J. Sweeney, 1951-2025

| Obituaries | West Seattle news

One year after closing his Jefferson Square framing shop, Tom Sweeney has died. His family is sharing this remembrance:

Thomas J. Sweeney
February 11, 1951 – May 14, 2025

Tom died in his sleep after an eleven-year battle with cancer. He fought the good fight right up to the end and we are so very proud of him.

Tom grew up in Eagle Harbor on Bainbridge Island, the oldest of four brothers. As a child, young Tom would take the ferry to Seattle alone on Saturdays to go to the YMCA and walk up and down First Avenue looking into the army navy stores, G.O.Guy, and all the old institutions of Seattle. His family moved to Bellevue in his teens and he was in the first graduating class of Interlake High School in 1969.

After attending college for a few years (WSU and BCC), Tom was a long-haul trucker across the Southern United States in addition to working harvests in Eastern Washington. One day on a whim he answered an ad for U-Frame-It and found his true calling, picture framing. He managed the UFI shops in Bellevue and Ballard before opening his own shop in West Seattle in 1992, where he created beautiful art for his customers until retiring in 2024.

Tom’s love of family was evident in everything he did. He and his wife Merrilyn raised their daughters to respect all human rights and to strive for equality. He was so proud of both of his daughters for dedicating their careers to social justice.

Tom loved watching the Mariners with his girls, and was a Seattle Sonics season ticketholder; after their sale, he never again set foot in a Starbucks. He was an avid skier and marathon runner. He was a voracious reader and music lover, enjoying genres of all kinds. He was interested in everything and, most importantly, he was an honorable man.

Tom is survived by wife Merrilyn, daughters Lily and Julianna (James), brothers Matthew, Jay and Kent, their families, and countless friends who meant the world to him.

Family was everything to Tom. He will be so very missed.

(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries and memorial announcements by request, free of charge. Please email the text, and a photo if available, to westseattleblog@gmail.com)

Rosalie Miller May 21, 2025 (11:53 am)

Our sincere condolences.Tom always spoke lovingly about his family whenever we saw him at the store.Our house is adorned with family and travel memories that Tom framed. We always trusted his artistic talent. And we always appreciated his book recommendations.A donation to the American Cancer Society has been made in his memory.

Alex May 21, 2025 (12:45 pm)

This is very sad news, he was a great guy, and I was a loyal customer. There’s easily over twenty of my photographs that he had framed over the years. I was sad to see the store in Jefferson Square close, but of course, more sad to read this news today. My condolences to his family and friends.

Another sympathetic client May 21, 2025 (2:21 pm)

Lots of sympathy to his family and friends. Tom was the framer of many of the poems to my wife that are in our house. Nice to read a little more of his background.

Oerthehillz May 21, 2025 (2:25 pm)

A very kind soul. I remember Tom from his frame shop in the Admiral neighborhood near my house and always enjoyed the wave or nod as I’d walk by the window. He was a neighborhood icon.

John May 21, 2025 (6:02 pm)

I always enjoyed Tom’s patient bemusement each time he helped me assemble a frame. R.I.P.

valvashon May 21, 2025 (7:41 pm)

We were grateful to finally find U Frame It, and affordable framing shop for my wife’s theatre posters. Before the pandemic, my daughter and I would go in every couple of months and get a poster framed. As others have said, he was incredibly patient as my then 5 year old would “help” assemble the frame. Eventually she became pretty good at putting in the eye screws; watching her do that would always bring a smile to Tom’s face. After the pandemic we would still go in even though he was doing all the framing because he became more to us than just a shop owner. This picture is just a small part of what he framed for us. Tom never tried to upsell us on fancier frames as he understood perfectly what how we were going to display these. We have more to frame but have yet to find another shop to use.

Elaine May 21, 2025 (7:45 pm)

I am shocked and saddened to read this news. Tom was a talented man with an eye for matching the perfect frame to add the special finishing touch to whatever item you brought to him. Over the years, almost every piece of art in our house was framed by him, ranging from photographs, artist prints, needlepoints, block prints and treasured art cards. He treated each piece with respect and care regardless of its monetary value; the goal being to have the frame showcase the item favorably and aesthetically. Selfishly, I was sad when Tom retired, but absolutely felt that he totally deserved to reclaim some time to enjoy a more leisurely lifestyle. So unfair to have that personal time cut short. RIP Tom…you have brought so much beauty to my home, and countless others. Thank you for your quality work; you will be missed. Condolences to your loved ones as we say goodbye to a classic West Seattle businessman who maintained pride in his work throughout the years.

Dad May 21, 2025 (8:39 pm)

So sad to hear this. Tom’s work is all over our home. We always relied on his easy going expertise at both locations until the closure. You could always tell you were with a special soul there.

AR May 21, 2025 (9:18 pm)

I’m sad to hear this news. I worked with Tom at the Ballard U-Frame-It
many decades ago. He was an ace framer, exceptionally skilled in his craft, and a nice guy.
My condolences to his family.

Dog Whisperer May 21, 2025 (9:24 pm)

Tom set a great example for we other small businesses along california ave by quietly and carefully managing his clients one at a time. Any time I stopped in with a print, certificate or piece of art he’d eye it and know precisely how to treat it. Always a gentleman and he’ll be greatly missed. Thoughts and prayers to Merrilyn and family.

Seanjohn Walsh May 21, 2025 (9:26 pm)

Tom Sweeney! A great craftsman who was always an all-around Raconteur and Gent. I met Tom late in his career, but we knew we knew one another well through a shared Grok of Rock ‘n’ Roll. Funny, but he was surely the last new friend I made. He was so proud of his beloved wife and the love they shared. Condolences to all his Family and Friends.

Julie Estes May 21, 2025 (9:45 pm)

My heart is broken! Tom was the kindest! My walls will forever speak of him. A true gentleman, always willing to teach you and help you in the U frame it part. A true gem, tom and his newspapers will forever be part of my memory. RIP TOM

HRS Parent May 21, 2025 (11:46 pm)

Tom was always so generous to Holy Rosary School, helping parent volunteers find just the right frame for last minute auction projects. Always so kind too. RIP!

WSenvironmentalist May 22, 2025 (6:06 am)

We’re so sorry to read of the loss of Tom for his family. He was a wonderful person and skilled business professional. We have pieces and memories of Tom’s skill throughout our house and we will remember Tom with fondness.

Barbara May 22, 2025 (1:07 pm)

Thank you for this beautiful tribute to Tom. I am very sorry to read about Tom’s battle with cancer and early passing but glad to know he had a good life outside of work . My heartfelt sympathy goes to his family and friends. Tom contributed to small town community ambiance in West Seattle. He was always kind with a welcoming smile, setting aside his news paper to add his artistic guidance for choosing perfect framing. He truly cared about his customers and with good memories he will be missed by many.

Mandrew May 23, 2025 (6:18 am)

I wish I had met Tom. A true Sonics fan in that he “never set foot in a Starbucks again.” For this, I declare Tom a true hero of the rich Seattle basketball heritage and the little guy versus corporate interests that continue to destroy community. One could commit to not setting foot in SBUX for several reasons. Thank you Tom for the inspiration to keep going in my own commitment.

Sorry, comment time is over.