Albert “Tom” Joseph Thomas, Jr., 81, of East Hartford, entered into eternal rest from complications of the COVID-19 virus on Wednesday, May 20, 2020. Born in Hartford on October 16, 1938, he was the son of the late Albert Joseph Thomas and Angeline “Angie” (Rival) Thomas and was a lifelong resident of East Hartford. Tom graduated from East Hartford High School in 1956. He was a proud veteran of the U.S. Navy, serving during the Vietnam era. Tom worked as a computer technician for IBM for more than 25 years. In addition, he was the owner of Mr. Video in New Britain for many years. During the 1970s, he was a photographer for the East Hartford Police and Fire Departments and was a former Constable for the town of East Hartford. Tom was a very involved member of the CT Orchid Society, as he grew many award winning orchids and gave lectures at area garden centers. He was an avid fan of the UConn Huskies basketball teams and the Boston Celtics.
Tom will be forever missed by his two sisters, June Townsend of Myrtle Beach, SC and Barbara A. Rohan and her husband Timothy of Manchester; as well as several nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, one great-grand-nephew, and his dear friend, Ricardo “Rick” Wint of East Hartford.
Due to the current health crisis, funeral services and burial in the State Veterans’ Cemetery, Middletown will be private and at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Tom’s honor may be made to East Hartford Emergency Management, 31 School St., East Hartford, CT 06108. The D’Esopo-East Hartford Memorial Chapel, 30 Carter Street, East Hartford has been entrusted with the care of the funeral arrangements. To share a memory of Tom, please visit www.desopoeh.com.
