Thomas J. Thibodeau Sr.

Thomas J. Thibodeau Sr., 83, devoted husband of Ann M. (Montanile) Thibodeau, of Berlin, passed away on Christmas Day, Wednesday, December 25, 2013. He was born in Caribou, Maine and was son to the late Denis and Victoria (Chaloult) Thibodeau and his beloved step-mother, Laura (Baron) Thibodeau. He attended St. Mary School, La Salette Prep School, St. Thomas Seminary and graduated from St. Bonaventure University in New York. He was an active member of St. Ann Church, where he received the H.O.P.E. award, was on the school board, taught CCD, was a lector, Minister of the Eucharist and sang in the choir. He was employed by Winslow Automatics for 20 years, retiring in 2000.

A deeply religious man, Tom enjoyed spending time with his family and friends. He also loved going to the beach and doing the cooking at good old fashioned barbeques where his specialties were grilled chicken and steak. He was known for his compassion, patience, warm caring heart and kind words. He had a special sense of humor and his infectious smile would illuminate any room. A gifted speaker, he was frequently called upon to speak on many special occasions.

He loved basketball and passed his passion for the game down to all of his children. He was an avid fan of St. Bonaventure and the Chicago Bulls. He had the honor of riding on a duck boat during the 2008 World Championship Boston Celtics Parade and commented that he never saw so many happy people in one place, which brought him great joy.

The family would like to extend their gratitude to Dr. Neil Wasserman and the emergency department staff at the Hospital of Central Connecticut, his caregivers, Gabrielle Baawuah and Frank Appiah. He looked forward to daily visits from his daughter and ‘Guardian Angel’, Nancy, as well as from family and friends.

In addition to his beloved wife Ann of 58 years, he is also survived and will be dearly missed by his loving children; Thomas J. Thibodeau, Jr. of Chicago, Illinois; Janet Brancifort and her husband Roy, Nancy Quedens and her husband, Phillipp, Dennis Thibodeau and David Thibodeau and his wife Christine, all of Berlin, his eight grandchildren who fondly called him ‘pepere’; Jessica, Nicholas, Tyler, Thomas, Melissa, Stephanie, David and Emily and his precious two great grandchildren, Makenzie and Haylie. He is also survived by his two sisters; Rita Picard of Berlin and Betty Petraniuk of New Britain and many nieces and nephews. Thomas was predeceased by five sisters; Leola and Verlie Ouellette, Leonie Gagnon, Mary Baron and Shirley Zavalick.

Tom’s favorite holiday was Christmas and he loved to sing Christmas Carols. On Christmas Eve he sang his favorite Christmas song Silent Night, with his wife, Ann.

“Sleep in Heavenly Peace Dad”. WE LOVE YOU!

Funeral services will begin Monday, December 30, 2013, at 9:00am from the New Britain Memorial Donald D. Sagarino Funeral Home, 444 Farmington Ave., New Britain, followed by the funeral liturgy at 10:00am in St. Ann Church. Entombment will follow in St. Mary Garden Mausoleum. Visitation hours will be Sunday, December 29, 2013 from 4-8pm at the funeral home. For directions, online messages or view video tribute, please visit www.newbritainsagarino.com.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to: La Salette Missionaries 915 Maple Avenue Hartford, CT 06114 or St. Ann Church 47 Clark Street New Britain, CT 06051.