Phillip Alexis Tournaud

Phillip Alexis Tournaud was born November 14, 1932 in Hartford, Connecticut, and died July 22, 2025 in Nashville, Tennessee. He is survived by his beloved wife, Carole Wishart Tournaud, with whom he celebrated 70 years of marriage on April 8, 2025.

Phillip was preceded in death by his parents, Julian and Myrtle Gess Tournaud, sister Ann Boutwell and brother Bruce Tournaud of East Hartford, CT. He is survived by three children: Debbie (Steve) Goodin of Franklin, TN, David (Pam) Tournaud of Clarkson, KY, and Daren (Tiffany) Tournaud of Brentwood, TN. He is also survived by sister Agnes Schulte of Suffield, CT.

He was “Grampa” to ten grandchildren: Todd (Kate) Etue, Tiffany (Angela) Etue, Adam Etue, Adrienne (Shane) Wood; Clint Goodin, Melanie (Kurt) Armstrong, Misty (Chad) Glass, Nick Tournaud; and Danielle (Josh) Adams and Tristan (Zoe) Tournaud. He was “Grampa Phil” to sixteen great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild, as well as uncle, cousin and friend to too many to mention, although each one filled his life with joy.

Phil graduated from East Hartford High School in East Hartford, CT, in 1951 and began work at Western Electric, part of the Bell System. He was drafted into the United States Army two years later, at age 20. He was stationed in Germany for two years, and when he returned to the States he married his high school sweetheart, Carole Ann Wishart.

Phil had a long and illustrious career in the Interconnect world. After his military service, he returned to his position with the Bell System, where he worked for twenty years. He took a position as Operations Manager with United Communication Services in Roanoke, Virginia. In 1976, he accepted the position as Vice President of Operations for Tel-Data Corp, a part of Joe M. Rogers & Associates.

In his personal life, Phil was an avid sportsman who enjoyed recreational baseball and bowling. He was gifted with a mind for technology and loved spending time on his computer. In his younger years, he loved being out on the water in his boat with his family. And his wife and children will most miss him whistling and dancing around the house.

Phil was a member at Brentwood United Methodist Church. Most notably, he was a proud member of the Army & Navy Club of Manchester, CT, for 70 years.

Phillip Tournaud’s life will be celebrated in a private service with his family.

In lieu of flowers, send donations to:

Army & Navy Club, 1090 Main Street, Manchester, CT, 06040 (Attn: Josh Nielson, Treasurer)

Nashville VA Medical Center, at 615-873-6978 or mail checks to the Center for Development and Civic Engagement, 1310 24th Avenue S., Nashville, TN, 37212. Please note “in memory of Phillip Tournaud” on checks.