Thomas Smith Lawton, age 65, lifetime resident of Norwich, CT passed away peacefully on March 7th, 2023, at home with his loving wife, Joan, and faithful dog, Sammie. Tom was born on December 29th, 1957 in New Haven, CT to his parents, Thelma & Charles F. Lawton, Jr. On September 22, 1979 Tom married his best friend, Joan (née Johnson). They got their start as teen sweethearts and spent 49 wonderful years of their lives together.
As a young man, Tom proudly served his country as a helicopter crew chief in the CT Army National Guard. He then spent his civilian career working as a flight mechanic for 25 years at Kaman Aerospace in Bloomfield and then Connecticut Avcrad in Groton through his final retirement. Tom was always happiest spending quality time at home with Joan and Sammie by his side.
Tom is survived by his wife, Joan Lawton of Norwich, his son, Thomas M. & wife Mary Jane E. Lawton (née Mattern) of Colchester, CT, three grandchildren, Katelyn, Thomas, & Charles W. Lawton, his dog, Sammie, and his sister, Thelma LaBonte. He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles & Thelma Lawton, brother, Charles Lawton, and sister, Holly Andersen.
A service will be held at Church & Allen Funeral home, 136 Sachem St., Norwich, CT on March 18th, 2023 at 4 p.m. Tom’s family would also like to express their deepest gratitude to the caring and compassionate staff from Hartford HealthCare at Home - Center for Hospice Care in Norwich. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Tom’s memory to: Hartford HealthCare at Home, 1290 Silas Deane Highway, Suite 4B,
Wethersfield, CT 06109.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.churchandallen.com for the Lawton family.
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