Thomas (Tom) Harkins, 80, passed away Tuesday, August 29, 2023. Born on December 3, 1942, in Brooklyn, NY he was the son of the late Vincent Harkins and Mary (Gibbons) Harkins. He is survived by his wife of 51 years Pam Harkins of Bethel CT; his son Thomas Harkins and his wife Danielle his grandchildren TJ, Michael, and Nicolene of Hillsborough, NJ; his daughter Liz (Harkins) Mendonca and her husband Lance and his grandchildren Matt, Joe and Elizabeth of Bethel CT; his daughter Laura (Harkins) Viggiano and her husband Thomas and his grandchildren Sophia, William and Sarah of Wilton CT; his daughter Maureen Harkins and her partner Seth Klescht of Patterson, NY; his brothers Bill (Mary) Harkins and Jack (Diane) Harkins, and the many surviving members of the extended Harkins family. He was predeceased by his late brother Vincent (Marie) Harkins.
Tom was born and raised in Brooklyn, attended St. Thomas Aquinas School, Midwood High School, and later obtained his undergraduate degree in Physical Education from Brooklyn College, and his master’s degree in Education from Queens College. Tom joined the NYPD at the age of 21 and served in Brooklyn for most of his 21 years on the job. He and Pam started their family in Breezy Point, NY, and made a home there until his retirement from the NYPD. Tom and Pam then moved to Oradell, NJ to continue raising their kids. After the NYPD Tom bought a Pepperidge Farm route and ran and expanded his business delivering cookies and bread over the next 20 years. Upon his second retirement in 2003, Tom and Pam purchased their retirement home in Bethel, CT where they have lived and enjoyed life together since.
Tom was first and foremost a proud husband, father, and grandfather who had an abundance of love for his family, which over the years included many dogs – most of them Golden Retrievers. Tom loved his morning walks at the park with his best friend Pam and his dogs, and he looked forward to having breakfast together after their Sunday morning mass. Tom was a talented swimmer who competed at the Police Olympics and enjoyed the sport recreationally. Tom parlayed his education degrees and his love for swimming into another of his life’s passions – coaching; where he taught the sport to and mentored thousands of youth athletes over the span of his 51-year swim coach career in Brooklyn, Northern Highlands Regional high school in NJ, and Masuk High School in CT. He was also his grandkids’ biggest sports fan, making it to the stands for every game he could. In 2003 Tom fell in love with motorcycles and was an avid riding member of the Hat City Riders and looked forward to his annual trip to Americade with friends and long rides on his trike with Pam. Anyone who knew Tom knows that he was also a professional talker. He honed his craft on anyone within earshot; sometimes telling them the same story a few times in one sitting just to make sure he perfected it! Those stories and chats are a gift for those he left them to whether it be friends, family, or the casual acquaintance. He will be missed dearly.
“May the road rise to meet you. May the wind be always at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face. May the rains fall upon your fields. And until we meet again, May God hold you in the hollow of His hand.” – An Irish Blessing
The family will receive relatives and friends at a visitation to be held on Thursday, September 7, 2023, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Green Funeral Home, 57 Main Street, Danbury, CT.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, September 8, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 26 Dodgingtown Rd, Bethel, CT
A reception will follow in the parish reception hall following the mass.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, there is a link provided below.
