Thomas Irving Festa

Thomas I. Festa, 82, died July 20, 2020 near his home in Venice, Fl. He was born on December 16, 1937 in Newtown, CT to the late Thomas and Thelma (Morton) Festa. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his brother Ralph Festa and sister Elizabeth Festa (Pesak).

Tom graduated from Norwalk High School. Following graduation, he worked at CL&P, Northeast Utilities and Yankee Gas where he served as gas street forman and union representative. Tom could be found all over Norwalk tearing up the streets in his “digger” as his family called it.

Tom married the love of his life Marjorie (McDermott) Festa in 1971 and they had six children between them, Marsha and the late Lou Lynas, James Smith and fiance Tina LaRose, the late Kevin Smith, Lisa (Festa) Biehle, Shirley Smith Klein and her partner Gary McGhee, and the late Sandra Smith Selander and husband Sven. He was also blessed with nine grandchildren Christopher Klein, Kyle & Mackenzie (Klein) Meyer, Nicole Biehle, Jessica and Michelle Smith, Kaylee Smith, Thomas, Katherine and Rebecca Selander as well as four great-grandchildren David, Hayden, Kameron and Emersynn and many beloved nieces and nephews.

Tom’s family meant the world to him. He treasured all his time spent with them. He was a devoted grandfather and was always kidding around playing any and all games with them, attending their ball games, concerts and recitals and beamed with pride whenever speaking of them. In his retirement Tom started a lawn business and spent many days working in his neighborhood where many of his clients became his friends. Wednesday night poker games would find Tom riding his bike over to one of his buddies' homes if he wasn’t hosting himself. His annual neighborhood Christmas parties were epic and everyone looked forward to attending and eating all the wonderful things he would prepare. One very important thing in his life was his daily garage “meetings” with his best friend George. He was an avid NY Giants and Yankee fan, and bowled in the Friday night couples league at Rip Van Winkle.

A service of remembrance will be held Saturday August 1, 2020 at 10:00 am Holy Family Church 700 Old Stratfield Road in Fairfield, CT…

Those who wish to remember Tom in a special way can make gifts to Tidewell Hospice 5955 Rand Blvd Sarasota, FL 34238.