Thomas McCormack

Thomas McCormack, 58, of Middlebury, CT, unexpectedly passed away on July 18, 2023. His life will be forever cherished by his surviving family: daughter Laura McCormack; parents John and Lorraine (Walsh) McCormack; siblings John McCormack (Leslie), Maureen Brinchman, Eileen Nettles, Michael McCormack (Suzie Rohan); brother-in-law Robert Brinchman; Evelyn Mensah and her daughter Chantel; several nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, cousins and his Aunt and Uncle. Tom is also survived by his longtime best friend Steve Rupe and his family, including Tom’s Godson Joseph Rupe.

Tom was born in Bridgeport, CT on March 10, 1965, just in time to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. As the 4th of soon to be 5 children, he was welcomed into an already plentiful family which included his Nana Ronan, with whom he shared a special bond. Surrounded by many friends and family members, Tom had an idyllic childhood full of pool parties and long summer nights at their Woodbury home.

From the years of 1979-1983 he attended Nonnewaug High School, going on to attend and graduate from UCONN with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology in 1988. Having struggled with dyslexia throughout his youth, Tom was particularly proud to receive an A in his college Shakespeare class. Learning remained a lifelong passion with Tom earning an Associates in Arts, graduating Summa Cum Laude, from Naugatuck Valley Community College in 2017 and even going on to be a volunteer English as a Second Language teacher in Waterbury, CT.

Tom worked at the Southbury Training School for 36 years. The friendships formed with his coworkers and the residents there were among his most treasured. Early on, Tom enjoyed working in the Recreation Department and ultimately culminated an accomplished career in 2022 retiring as a Behavior Modification Specialist. Throughout his years of service Tom was very involved in life on campus participating notably as a Firefighter and Special Olympics volunteer. Always an outspoken advocate for the underdog, it was working as an 1199 Union Delegate which will remain one of his proudest contributions.

Outside of work Tom had many, many interests and hobbies of which music and fishing were his greatest passions.

Though Tom later did formidably study music, he was a largely self-taught musician who loved to spend the evenings having jam sessions with family and friends. He played the guitar, keyboard, anything in the percussion section he could get his hands on, and even sang. Tom had a wide-ranging lexicon of musical influences spanning everything from Mozart to Joni Mitchell to Bob Marley, however it was the Rolling Stones who reigned supreme above all. Under the alias of Dr. T., Tom at times hosted a local Rolling Stones themed radio show. His love for and knowledge of the Rolling Stones was unparalleled - it seems that everyone has seen a Stones show with Tom at least once!

Lucky for Tom he could listen to any one of his 10,000 CDs while also enjoying his other great passion, fishing. Introduced to the sport by his father, Tom grew into a truly legendary fisherman who could always be counted on to hook the evening’s meal. Whether fishing off the Maude at his home on Lake Quassapaug, or fishing by moonlight over summer vacations in Old Orchard Beach, ME, fishing was the perfect backdrop to share stories and laughs with those he loved. The “lure” of his prowess lives on in the younger generations he in turn taught to love his sport.

Tom also loved sports, dancing, cooking, reading, art, and travel. He could tell you the score of last night’s Cardinals game without missing a step of the bachata. Over a homemade clam pie, he would discuss the latest biography he was reading. He traveled to Austria to see Gustav Klimt’s “The Kiss” in person – and to see the Rolling Stones, naturally. Tom also took time to become actively involved in local politics and proudly served as Middlebury’s Democratic Register of Voters for 11 years.  

Throughout his life Tom brought humor to all he did and to all of those around him. There wasn’t a room, restaurant or grocery store checkout line that was safe from his antics (doubly so if the cashier was cute!). His natural intelligence showed in his quick wit and his preparation showed in the canned jokes he had stored away just in case. Tom always had a twinkle in his eye and a trick up his sleeve – particularly true when he was working through Harry Houdini’s book of card tricks!

Tom had a huge laugh and an even bigger heart. His big hugs and thoughtful words of advice in times of need will be greatly missed. Caring and empathetic, he always had time for a friend who needed to talk. His charm warmed up even the coldest cup of coffee.

Tom was an adoring, devoted and hands-on father who readily shared his interests with his daughter. The two were fortunate to be exceptionally close during her most formative years and shared many adventures together. The culture he exposed her to, his support of her own education and the messages he taught her will forever shape her world view, and he will live on through her.

Tom, as the song goes, “til the next time we say goodbye, I’ll be thinking of you”.

Please join us in celebrating Tom’s life on Sunday, July 23, 2023 from 12pm to 2pm with a service starting at 2pm at Munson-Lovetere Funeral Home, 2 School St. Woodbury, CT. The family is accepting donations to The Hole in the Wall Gang Fund in his honor. 

Since music was so important to Tom, we ask you to suggest a song that reminds you of him or of a memory you shared. You can leave your suggestions under the tribute section of this page.

To share a memory of Tom or send a condolence to his family please visit www.munsonloveterefuneralhome.com 

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