Thomas "Tom" Francis Connell

Thomas Francis Connell, a beloved husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather passed away peacefully on Tuesday, February 14, 2023, after a brief illness at Los Robles Hospital. He was 87 years old.

The youngest of three children to Bill & Geneva Connell, Tom was born in Wisconsin on December 16, 1935. In 1949 the Connell Family moved to Oxnard, CA, and Tom attended Santa Clara High School, graduating in 1954. He was a USMC Reservist during high school. Tom then went active duty with the Corps after high school and was honorably discharged with the rank of Sergeant. While working odd jobs, including the Camarillo State Hospital Pharmacy, he attended Ventura College. He graduated in 1959 and transferred to UC Santa Barbara, earning his bachelor’s degree with honors in History in 1961. There he also earned his Master’s in History in 1963. Scoring very well on the Civil Service exam; Tom was recruited by the Social Security Administration. He was employed with the SSA from 1963 until December 1992. Tom moved up into management in the SSA, learning the ropes in the Regional Office in San Francisco. It was there he met and married his bride Valerie Simmen. After a three year stint in Baltimore, MD, he transferred back to California. He worked at the Van Nuys office as Assistant Manager from 1970-1977. Then he was promoted to District Manager from 1977-1992.

Tom and Valerie lived in Thousand Oaks, at the same address for fifty-one years. To him, Thousand Oaks was “Heaven on earth.” Always trying to stay active, he enjoyed his brisk walks all over the neighborhood; bike riding trips with Valerie that he either planned in California or all over the United States. Both Tom and Val joined senior bike riding tours in Europe. He also enjoyed skiing in the winter with his family. His evenings were reading a good book, listening to classical music, and watching his beloved LA Dodgers or Lakers. Even with age and his body slowing down Tom never lost his good sense of humor. He was a good judge of character, and always cared about and was concerned for his children.

Tom is survived by his bride of 56 years Valerie. He is also survived by his son Michael F Connell (Terrie), his daughter Susan P Licker (Jonathan), three grandsons and two great grandchildren. Honoring Tom’s wishes there will be no memorial service, only a private internment service in Northern California. He will truly be missed, and our days won’t be the same without him. The best way to honor Tom Connell is by donating to the Kidney.org in the honor of Thomas Connell.