Thomas Leonard Kratzert of Old Lyme, CT died unexpectedly in his home on July 27, 2021 at the age of 64. He was a profound musician and master carpenter whose work remains all over his hometown. He was also captain of the ’74 Old Lyme State Championship soccer team. He went to school at Colby College, and continued to study music at the University of Colorado – Denver. In Denver, he met Nancy Pinney and they married at the First Congregational Church in Old Lyme in 1990. They share two sons; Sean is 30 and Alex is 29. He spent the last years of his life doing carpentry, playing guitar and making music with his sons and his friends. When he wasn’t working or playing music, he spent his time in the local woods foraging for mushrooms and enjoying the solitude and serenity of the natural world. His connection to the earth and his interest in exploring the higher matters of existence was unique to this day and age, and his propensity to approach fear and hatred with unflinching love and peace was truly a blessing to humanity. He will be deeply missed by those who knew and loved him, and his absence will be felt, but the imprint he left upon those with whom he crossed paths will maintain for many generations. He is survived by his two sons, Sean and Alex Kratzert, of Chester; his mother Joan Kratzert of Essex; his sister Anne Beaubelle of Norco, CA; his sister Elizabeth Nocera and brother-in-law Mike Long of Essex; his nephew Bennett Nocera of Norwich; and his niece Aline Nocera of Brooklyn, NY. He was predeceased by his father Alfred Thomas Kratzert, Jr., and his brother-in-law David Beaubelle. He was an amazing and loving father, brother, and son, and he followed his dreams until the day he left us. A memorial service will be held at 1:00 PM on Saturday, August 7, 2021 at the First Congregational Church in Old Lyme. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Minister’s Discretionary Fund FCCOL or the Shoreline Soup Kitchen.
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