Thomas Andre Blumenthal

Thomas Andre Blumenthal of Southbury, CT passed away peacefully on July 13, 2025. Tom, who was also known affectionately to some of his friends as Axle, was born on July 2, 1933 in New York City to Andre Blumenthal and Mildred Wimpfheimer Blumenthal. Raised in Norwalk, CT, Tom was the second of three children: he is survived by his brother, William Blumenthal; and sister, Elizabeth Blumenthal.

Tom was predeceased by his beloved wife, Judith Higgins Blumenthal, with whom he made a beautiful home in Southington, CT for many years. Tom is survived by their five children and their respective families: Ann Blumenthal; Nancy Blumenthal and her husband, Gregory Plociennik, and their daughter, Eleanor Plociennik; Barbara Van Bramer, formerly married to James Van Bramer, and their children, Lucas Van Bramer and Dylan Van Bramer; William Blumenthal and his wife, Vicki Blumenthal; and Robert Blumenthal and his husband, Jaye Gravely. Tom and Judy had a marriage filled with great love, respect and humor. They built a family they valued and adored above all else. Tom’s role as grandfather to his three terrific grandchildren also filled him with immeasurable pride and joy.

After Judy lost her battle with cancer in 1997, Tom had the great fortune to find another chapter of love in his life with his second wife, Barbara Gleason Blumenthal of Redding, CT. Barbara passed away on March 17, 2015. Tom is survived by Barbara’s children and grandchildren. Through their consideration for each other’s history and with love and respect for their grown children, Tom and Barbara forged a lifelong bond between their families.

Tom attended The Gunnery School, recently renamed The Frederick Gunn School, in Washington, CT. He loved his time as a dynamic student there, playing for the Varsity Tennis and Varsity Hockey teams. He was a dedicated member of the alumni community, attending many reunions with great enthusiasm. Tom graduated from Yale University in New Haven, CT in 1954 with a B.A. in History. He served in the United States Army in Europe as part of NATO forces during the Cold War, returning home to earn his M.B.A. at Columbia University and his M.P.H. at Yale University. Early in his career as a hospital administrator, Tom and Judy moved their young family to various points along the eastern half of the United States, landing finally in Southington in 1969. At that time, Tom became the Hospital Administrator at Bradley Memorial Hospital, recently renamed Hospital of Central CT, Bradley Campus. It was a position he would hold until resigning in 1977. Taking an exciting professional pivot, Tom used his talent for business to open The Great Racquet, a public tennis and racquetball club in Southington. As that business thrived, Tom took even more on his plate and began to play an increasingly large role at Norwalk Powdered Metals, a company founded by his father. He would go on to sell the tennis club as he took the helm at NPM as President for the duration of his career.

In his retirement, Tom volunteered locally as an expert business mentor at SCORE advising small business owners, and as an advisory member for CERT (Community Emergency Response Teams). Tom was quick-witted, friendly, well-read, a keen critical thinker, and a true gentleman. In addition to cherishing his friends and family dearly, Tom loved great food, adventures big and small, and his legendary labrador retrievers.

A visitation for Thomas will be held on Monday, July 28, 2025 from 9:00 -11:00 AM at the DellaVecchia Funeral Home 211 N. Main St. Southington. A celebration of life will follow promptly at 11:00 AM at the DellaVecchia Funeral Home. Thomas will be laid to rest privately with his family.

In lieu of flowers, please consider dedicating a memorial donation in Tom’s name to the American Cancer Society, online at cancer.org/dignitymemorial or by phone 800-227-2345.