Thomas Wayne Buchanan

Born on September 12, 1950 in Butler, PA, Tom was the son of the late Alice Mae Glasgow and Albert Buchanan of Michigan.

Tom attended Franklin College in Indiana where he studied German, history, and philosophy. His interest in Germany became a life-long love affair after spending his junior year abroad in the beauty of Freiburg, Germany. Tom even began a graduate program in Medieval German Literature at SUNY Buffalo before deciding to pursue a law degree at Indiana University School of Law.

After graduating from law school, Tom spent the next 28 years proudly serving his country. He returned to Germany for 5 years as a criminal attorney with the US Army JAG Corps, after which he served 23 years as a Special Agent with the FBI. He also worked as the Assistant Legal Attache at the US Embassy in Berlin, Germany, during which time he managed the activities of FBI employees sent to Germany following the 9/11 attack. Following his “retirement,” he also worked for United Technologies and Westover School.

Tom loved being a husband and father. He and Patricia, his wife of 35 years, had two daughters together, Meghan and Mackenzie. His daughters have fond memories of their father taking them out to breakfast every Saturday morning, reading Tolkien and C.S. Lewis to them before bed, and leading them on fall hikes along the Appalachian Trail.

Tom also found deep comfort in this Christian faith and community, most recently as a member of Mount Zion Lutheran Church in Southington. A leader in the church, Tom served on many church councils, lent his soothing voice to various choirs, took youth groups on white water rafting adventures, and shared vegetables from his garden with the congregation.

After moving to Connecticut, Tom met a group of runners at the Waterbury YMCA who became some of his dearest friends. With them he ran seven marathons, raced up Mount Washington, played setback each month, and created many outlandish competitions. When he wasn’t running, Tom could be found hiking, mountain biking, kayaking, or growing his prolific vegetable garden. He was also a talented cook and would spend hours creating holiday feasts for his whole family.

At the end of his life, Tom looked back with gratitude and peace knowing he spent his life devoted to his highest values: family, country, and faith.

Tom is survived by wife Patricia (O’Brien) Buchanan; daughter Meghan Buchanan and her partner Kyle Sutherland; daughter Mackenzie (Buchanan) Callahan and her husband Peter Callahan; sisters Mary Ellen (Buchanan) Walbeck, Nancy Buchanan, and Jill (Buchanan) Palumbo; and many dear nieces, nephews, grandnieces and nephews, cousins and friends. He was predeceased by his mother Alice (Glasgow) Buchanan, father Albert Buchanan, and best friend Watson, his loyal English Springer Spaniel. He was also excitedly expecting his first grandchild who is due June 2020.

The family will hold a private burial service and celebrate his life at a later time. The DellaVecchia Funeral Home in Wolcott is honored to serve Tom’s Family. Please visit www.dellavecchiafh.com for online condolences.

Memorial Contributions may be made to the Salvation Army.