My Dear Jordan Family,
You all know how dearly we Burnell’s loved our Uncle Tom and ( dear sweet Aunt Babe).  I have so many dear memories of Uncle Tom:  dancing on the tops of his feet when I was a little girl and he and Aunt Babe visited Rckfd.  Then MANY years later dancing w/him on my wedding day.  If I couldn’t dance w/my own father, it meant the world to me to be able to dance with Uncle Tom that day.
The memory my mom and I laughed most about was our last trip East together as a family and  we all travelled to VT & stayed in a skI lodge.  It took 2 cars to get the Jordan/Burnell clan up there.  I rode  w/ my dad and Uncle Tom, who of course drive.  Back then,  I had car sickness but I didn’t want to be a nuisance so I didn’t tell Uncle Tom or cousin Heather, who  also was in ourcar.  I asked Uncle Tom how long the trip would take as we were leaving and he said, “Oh, only a couple of hours.” Which, I assumed meant  2-3 hrs.  Of course, Uncle Tom didn’t drive a straight line, more of a zigzag, pointing out interesting sights along the way.  After 2 hrs., we stopped at some site, I think the Hancock clocks/or something, and I asked  how much longer as we returned to the car. Uncle Tom replied, “oh an hour or so we’re almost there.”  Three stops later, all with the same reply “only a couple of hours and there is no end in sight., I was pretty green around the gills by then so my dad took mercy and told Uncle Tom about my condition.  Well he headed straight for our destination as I think he didn’t want a kid puking in his  back seat.  We arrived at about 7-8 hrs after we left  for what normally is about a 3 to 3.5 hr drive, I think.  Coming home did not go any faster!  So anytime mom and I got in a car after this and asked how long the drive was going to be, we would grin at one another and say, almost in unison, “oh a couple hours or so,” regardless of what the actual answer is. I now imagine Uncle Tom happily driving about w/ a healthy Aunt Babe by his side. ❤️

To Heather and Family.....my sincere condolences on your loss.  Only learned today of your dad’s passing.  He and my own dad served many years with distinction for the Bridgeport Police Department.  I hold many fond memories of friendship through our school years Heather; both your mom and dad were always such kind, caring and lovely people.  I’m so sorry for your loss.  May your memories sustain you during this difficult time. 
Lisa Cisko Lambert

Tom is a particular favorite at First Church Congregational. He always was on top of the news and requesting prayers for those in need.  He often stopped conversations in Fellowship Hall by clanging a pot lid to lead a round of "Happy Birthday" for those celebrating another year.  I will miss both he and Fran as they were always at church and their faces always brought comfort to me.  Tom was there for intergenerational fellowships, writing cheerful notes to soldiers/sailors serving over holidays. He always took an interest in the children and wanted them to enjoy service.

As Hans Christen Andersen said, "A human life is a story told by God".  It is very clear that He was well pleased with Tom, but it was inevitable that He would want to reunite Tom with his beloved Fran and hear his Irish jokes and regaling of memories of camaraderie and hardship during war and living with kindness  that make Tom a memorable friend.  

To my Jordan cousins and their families,

The loss of Uncle Tom will be felt deeply by all who cherished and loved him. He truly was a "giant" among men. He lived well, accomplished much, loved his family, and served others through his volunteering and military service through two wars. We salute our Uncle Tom and wish him eternal peace in Heaven.

Love

Mary Fran and Steve Lako

I was saddened to hear of Tom's "going home" on the 10th.  What a delight it was to see and reminisce with Tom at the Seaside Village 100th Anniversary celebration back in the summer of 2018.   What a sharp witt and memory of so many people and activities.  His was certainly a testimony to a life well lived and respected by anyone who had the blessing of knowing Tom (and "Frannie", too).     May God comfort each member of his extended family at this time.   Considering the life he led and the people he touched...there is no doubt that Tom heard those powerful words that we all look forward to hearing some day: "well done, good & faithful servant"!    Fair winds and following seas, shipmate!  


My wife, my daughters, and I send our condolences to those closest to my Uncle Tom, his children and their children, and to relatives, friends, and caregivers who assisted and comforted Tom in his final days.

There’s much to be said about this good man. I have many memories, but one stands out. Some years ago, I was looking after a retriever named Bonnie for her recently deceased owner. Bonnie would bark at anyone and anything entering her territory. One day, Tom and Fran came over for lunch. Tom’s car came up the drive. Furious barking, as always. Then Tom got out of the car: Bonnie stopped barking, wagged her tail, and sauntered over to Tom as if he were her oldest and most trusted friend. First time I ever witnessed Bonnie greet a stranger without a show of aggression. That was the day I had proof that a dog can distinguish between a good and a bad person, and never be fooled.

Uncle Tom didn’t always have it easy. Two wars. Fear, hardship, sacrifice. “The Convoy to Hell.” Then a career as policeman in Bridgeport, in which he could face down a thug with quiet authority, but also show his gentle, fatherly side in the Police Athletic League. Even in retirement, despite health problems, he served his local community. Cheerful, friendly, welcoming: always a pleasure in his company.

Throughout his life, along with Fran, he lived a spiritual life. He was a principled, conscientious man, perhaps too much so; but his inner moral compass was true. His faith was neither affected nor pretentious, but sincere and humble. A faith that showed itself in his deeds, day after day.

He will be missed. Death is a perplexing mystery to which there are no simple answers. But Tom will abide in our memories, and that is in and of itself a gift.

MAY YOU   R. I P,  TOM  YOU WILL BE MISSED  GOOD POLICE OFFICER AN MAN , GOD  BLESS AND KEEP YOU 


My Condolences to the Jordan Family. Tom was always helping his Union Members of 1159 any way he can. I was one of them. He will always be remember by Police Officers who new him.

Tom and Fran were friends and neighbors of my parents in Seaside Village. I send my condolences and prayers to his entire family and know he and Fran are together with their Lord and Savior in heaven. God bless you all.

My sincerest condolences to Tom's Family . I've known and respected Tom my whole career , always a great mentor for so many of us rookies . Always in my thoughts . 
                                                                           With Respect , John Fiorini #52 Retired Bpt P.D. 

Tom Jordans Family; I had the pleasure of working with Tom in the
complaint  bureau. He was one fine person to work with.R.I.P.

Rest in Peace Tommy.  He was a good man and always a gentleman.  A great example for the Police Officers.  

Dear Cousins,

Your father, grandfather and great-grandfather will be so missed.  I pray that your grieving hearts heal quickly as he would wish this.  He was so proud of all of you and more recently delighted in sharing stories about his great-grandchildren and photos of all of you.  He was a "rock of support" for me in remembering my son and husband, my "Ricks."  A wonderful uncle.
With my love and deep sympathy,
Cousin Sharon Noble Eaton

I have many wonderful memories of Uncle Tom, beginning when I was a little girl dancing on his feet to years later dancing in his arms at my wedding when my own father could not be there to do so.
Also, enjoying so many delicious meals at he and Aunt Babe’s table, even once being able to share Thanksgiving Dinner with them.
One that is most memorable occurred during the last trip my entire family took back East during the summer before my father passed. I was just 12 yrs old then and the Burnell and Jordan families made plans to drive to Vermont and stay at a ski resort that was owned by a retired police officer Uncle Tom knew. This required 2 two cars to make the trip and I rode in the car with Uncle Tom and my Dad. At the beginning of the trip I was told it would be a 3-4 hour trip. Being an impatient adolescent who also struggled with car sickness, I asked at the onset of the trip how long the drive would take and Uncle Tom. the driver, assured me 3-4 hours. However, Uncle Tom also took it upon himself to  act as our tour guideC making many “side trips” along the way that often took us off the beaten path to show us different things of interest. Each time we stopped at a “point of interest”, I would ask Uncle Tom how much longer?  “Oh about 3-4 “ hours,” was Uncle Tom’s reply. Well it didn’t take long to figure out after having traveled for 4 hours that our ETA  was off.  I  politely pointed out the discrepancy to Uncle Tom stating he had told me the entire trip would take 3-4 hours and we had now traveled 4 hours yet he was still saying we had 3-4 more hours of travel left. Uncle Tom smiled and stated the journey rarely is in a straight line and I needed to “rest awhile and let the hurry run off me while I learned to enjoy the journey and stop worrying about the destination.” 

OBITUARY

Thomas F Jordan

October 21, 1924 – April 10, 2020

Swan Funeral Home

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