October 15, 1950 -- February 02, 2020
Thomas Crowell Crook died Sunday February 2, 2020, at Hartford Hospital after a long illness. He was the husband of Michelle Laramie and son of the late Thomas and Hazel (Crowell) Crook. He was predeceased by his brother, Reverend Charles (Charlie) Crowell Crook, and survived by his sister, Nancy Jane Bernardo, of New Bedford, Massachusetts. Tom also leaves behind several aunts, uncles and cousins.
As a child Tom had “extra” parents and siblings in his Uncle Joe and Aunt Charlotte Almeida and his cousins David and Jane. Aunt Charlotte and Uncle Joe often took Tom on family vacations. Tom never forgot the places he had an opportunity to visit with the Almeida family and the fun he had with his cousins, whom he considered to be more like siblings.
Tom attended Bridgewater State University and received his degree in Mathematics and Computer Science.
Tom spent his early career teaching Mathematics and Computer Science at various schools in Massachusetts. He made a career change in the 1980s and moved to Hartford to work at the Travelers Insurance Company. He later worked in many corporate settings until his retirement.
Tom had a heart for volunteering. In 1989, it was through one of those volunteer opportunities that he met his wife. He was invited to a dinner party at her home. She told him that there would be another couple, named Keith and Louise, whom Michelle knew from her time in the Peace Corps. Tom assumed “Keith” was a man from their mutual volunteer job. Tom brought a small poinsettia as a gift. The “Keith” confusion was quickly resolved and the four of them had a nice evening. After the dinner party he finally got the hint and asked Michelle out on a date. Some of those very early dates included gatherings which included his extended family. Within a few months Michelle had met many of his aunts, uncles and cousins. Some of the events were the christening of the son of one of his cousins and a funeral of one of his beloved uncles.
Michelle and Tom were married on the fourth anniversary of their first date. The ceremony was held in the home of her parents, Marie Bossé and Jerry Coulter. Poinsettias were used as the decorative flowers. Tom brought Michelle a poinsettia for every anniversary of their 26 year marriage.
Before marrying Michelle, Tom was one of the few men who did not have any interest in sports. He developed a love of UCONN Women’s basketball and enjoyed NCAA Final 4 vacations when the host city was in a warm climate. He particularly liked New Orleans and San Antonio.
Tom also enjoyed music and collecting music from the 1960s. He had many vinyl records and spent hours converting them to digital formats so he could listen to them in stereo on newer devices. He joined online groups and made friends around the country and the world with people who shared his passion for music of that era.
Tom was also a wonderful son-in-law, brother-in-law and uncle to Michelle’s family. Tom always assisted with everyone’s computer problems, transported children to appointments or activities and helped with anything else anyone needed. He especially enjoyed spending time with his nephew and niece, Nick and Irene Laramie, watching them grow up to be fine young adults. When he could not do yard work because of his illness, he appreciated Nick’s help with lawn mowing and shrub trimming.
In what would the last few months of his life, Tom had a few times when felt able to have guests and to attend family gatherings. Some of his favorite moments were a visit from Cousin Jane, now Jane Heroux, and her husband Richie, a birthday party for Michelle’s brother Steve, whom he often called, “Brother Steve,” Christmas with Marie and Jerry and a breakfast with Michelle’s family. At the family breakfast he was so happy to hear Irene made the Dean’s List last semester.
In the final months of his life, Tom, who had Type 1 diabetes for most of his life, needed dialysis, which he performed at home with the assistance of a care team. He was not always the easiest patient but did whatever necessary so that he could enjoy the people who made his life one which was worth living to the fullest. His family will always be grateful for his nurse Laura for patiently managing Tom’s treatment and assisting him in having some extra time to do some of the things he enjoyed in life.
Per Tom’s wishes, there will be no funeral service. A memorial celebration of his life will take place at a later date.
There are no specific charities chosen for those who wish to donate in Tom’s memory. If you wish to donate in his name, the family requests that you choose something that will reflect and honor Tom’s beliefs and life.
Partager l'avis de décès
v.1.9.5