Thomas J. Gardiner

Gardiner, Thomas J.

Thomas Jefferson Gardiner, 91, of Norwalk, CT, beloved husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather died suddenly on Saturday, June 3rd, at Norwalk Hospital. He was born in Mount Vernon, New York on October 26, 1925, son of the late Bertha W. and Thomas J. Gardiner. He grew up in the Bronx, New York, graduated at sixteen from Evander Childs High School. He enlisted in the United States Navy as an Aviation Radio Man, Third Class and served until the end of the war. He was employed for forty-three years as Director of Technical Services for the Bunker Ramo Corp., Trumbull, CT and enjoyed thirty-three years of retirement. He is survived by his loving wife, Mary Hickey Gardiner of the Bronx, New York. They were happpily married for sixty-seven years.

Thomas enjoyed life to the fullest. An avid reader and well traveled, he was knowledgable on so many subjects. He could sail a boat, create a beautiful garden, craft fine furniture, and pretty much build or fix anything. He was a great conversationalist and could recite a poem from the great masters by memory or sing a silly ditty to entertain us all. He was a truly talented man.

He never said an unkind word about anybody. He was a helpful neighbor, loyal friend and one of the founding members of St. Philip's Parish. Above all, he loved his family.

In addition to his wife, he will be sorely missed by his two childrren, Michael J. Gardiner (Debbie) from Shelton, CT and Jo-Ann G. Marron (Dennis) from Madison, CT; his adoring grandchildren, Dana Sullivan (Peter), Brian Gardiner (Jillian), Kevin Gardiner (Mauricia), Tara Murad (Stephan), and great-grandchildren, Carter, Brody, Nolan, Cade, Ava, Isabella, Benmont, Cameron, and Adelyn. Thomas was predeceased by his cherished sister, Elizabeth A. Tierney.

Special thanks to the kind, caring staff at DaVita and Drs. Frank, Weiner, and Gervasi.

Funeral mass will be held on Thursday, June 8th, at 10:00 AM at St. Philip's Church, Norwalk. Entombment will follow at St. John's Mausoleum with full military honors. Norwalk’s Hoyt-Cognetta Funeral Home & Crematory, 5 East Wall Street has been entrusted with arrangements. In lieu of flowers, donations in Thomas's memory can be made to St. Philip's Church, 1 Father Conlon Lane, Norwalk 06851. Please visit www.norwalkfh.com for more information.