Tom was born in the Bronx, New York on September 6, 1945, to Gedo and Madeline (McNee) Didona. He was the most devoted son, husband and grandfather.
Tom started his life as he lived it, wringing out every minute. He was in a rush to get started and was delivered by the nurse just inside the hospital doors. He was a true renaissance man who pursued his many talents and interests with passion and intensity. He was a remarkable athlete, incredible gardener and talented photographer. He never did anything second best. His athletic ability spanned many sports including football, hockey and his favorite, bicycle racing. He won many tournaments, races and awards throughout his life. He pursued his love of gardening and growing until the last week of his life when he was repotting plants for the fall. His photographs were exceptional, and he generously shared them with family and friends.
He started his 37-year career at the New York Botanical Garden in 1963 and retired in 2000 as the Foreman of Gardeners. After retirement he worked for the Danbury Fair Mall taking care of all the indoor plants and Richter Park taking care of the turf. His final job before full retirement was at the Danbury Ice Arena where he took care of the ice, taught skating and coached hockey. He retired to take care of his mother until her death in 2009. He then volunteered for the Central Park Conservancy as part of their Saturday Green Team taking care of the various gardens. During the pandemic when the world shut down, he reached out to Connecticut Audubon at Deer Pond Farm in Sherman and volunteered to take care of their pollinator garden.
Tom was generous and would always give gifts and his time to his friends and family. His thoughtfulness was one of his many traits. He always made time to support and help his mother and wife. And then in 2008, two people came into his life and he fully embraced them with love and kindness. We ultimately became a family of love. He is survived by his loving wife, Jane, his hija, Leonisia and his grandson, Leonardo. He is predeceased by his father, his loving mother, Madeline, and his brother, Paul.
The family will receive friends at a celebration of Tom’s life at Green Funeral Home, 57 Main St., Danbury on Saturday, September 21, 2024 from 1:00pm - 3:00 pm.
Donations can be made in Tom’s name to the American Cancer Society - Hope Lodge at 132 W 32nd St, New York, NY 10001 or to the Connecticut Audubon – Deer Pond Farm, 57 Wakeman Hill Rd., Sherman, CT 06784.
