Thomas E. Stephens, of Woodbury, husband of Bonnie Beal Stephens, passed away on June 5 at Waterbury Hospital.
Tom was born August 11, 1932, in Detroit, MI, the son of Lela M. (Simpson) Stephens and Duncan C. Stephens II, M.D. He is survived by his brother Duncan C. Stephens, III and his wife Eileen Denver of Woodbury; daughter Sandra Sieracki and son-in-law Rob Sieracki, grandchildren Trevor, Kinsey, and Shelby of Austin, TX; son Christopher Stephens, daughter-in-law Linda, granddaughters Jane and Ella of Denver, CO; and daughter Lauren Stephens of Los Angeles, CA; step-children Ryan Butterly, Danbury, CT, and Julia Hansen and Kai Hansen, and grandson Aiden of Dover, DE.
Tom's early life was spent exploring the areas around his homes in several states where his family lived: His father was in the U.S. Navy, stationed in San Francisco, Washington, D.C., and finally Seattle. After WW II, the family moved to Newtown, Connecticut, where Dr. Stephens was resident psychiatrist at Fairfield Hills Mental Hospital. Tom graduated in 1950 from the Wooster School in Danbury, where he was Senior Prefect and played on the tennis, football, and basketball teams. He graduated from Williams College in Massachusetts with a degree in English, and enjoyed returning to the campus for many reunions with the class of 1954. He joined the U.S. Army following graduation and was in the CIC Counter Intelligence in Germany during the Korean War. He learned and spoke fluent German and enjoyed traveling in later years to Germany and Austria with his wife, brother, and sister-in-law.
Tom worked in sales, first for the bowling division of FMC in New Hampshire and later for Marvin Window Company in Denver, CO, where he and his first wife Judith raised their three children. Tom had fallen in love with Colorado during his college years, when he spent a summer working in the Rocky Mountains with the Forestry Service. In later years he moved to Albuquerque, NM, then returned to Connecticut and helped care for his widowed mother, who lived in Heritage Village. In 1992 he met and married Bonnie. Together the couple enjoyed travelling, music, family, visiting museums and art galleries, and cherished living in Woodbury near Tom's brother and sister-in-law.
Tom was known by all as a passionate and educated reader, a self-proclaimed "book nut" who enjoyed a wide variety of literature. History was a particular passion, and he seemed to never forget any detail of the history and world events that fascinated him. He also read novels and non-fiction constantly. He was an avid and critical newspaper reader, and he loved to discuss current events. He also loved to solve crossword puzzles -- especially the really hard ones from the Sunday NY Times. He enjoyed classical music, gardening, and telling good stories. He was a gifted cook. He worked several years part-time with his wife at Branson Ultrasonics in Danbury, as a tradeshow coordinator, where he was known for his skills of organization and attention to detail. To neighbors, friends, and family Tom was a kind and giving man, always ready to help with a ride or with a project. In recent years, he was a volunteer driver for FISH in Woodbury.

Memorials: In lieu of flowers, donations in his honor may be sent to the Connecticut Choral Society, P.O. Box 42, Southbury, CT 06488-0042.

Cemetery: Cemetery Not Applicable

Location: Munson-Lovetere Woodbury

Funeral: North Congregational Church

Services: A memorial service celebrating Tom's life will be held Sunday, June 13, at 3: 00 p.m. at the North Congregational Church, Woodbury, CT.

Visitation: There are no calling hours.