Tom P. Pacyna, Sr.

Tom Pacyna was born and raised in New Britain, CT. He served as an altar boy at Holy Cross Church, mostly to get out of going to class at the church’s namesake school. He graduated from Pulaski High School and furthered his education at the American Academy McAllister Institute, earning a degree in mortuary sciences. Tom then attended Central Connecticut State University and received both his undergraduate and master's degrees in education. He worked as a teacher at Newington High School for 38 years until his retirement in 2010. In 1974, he met his future wife, Mary Ann (Bartlewski), and they married in 1976. Soon after, they welcomed their daughter, Sarah, and then son, Tommy. Tom's unwavering love and dedication to his family was evident in his hard work and ensuring they never went without. He and Mary Ann inspired a love for traveling and nature by taking the kids on long-distance trips to several national parks, cities, and ballparks. Tom and Mary Ann also engendered a love for all animals, welcoming dogs, fish, birds, and lizards into their home, and later, as the kids grew older a new generation of cats and dogs. Tom was a quiet and reserved man, but he possessed a quick wit and an infectious sense of humor, which brought joy to the many who got to call him a friend. He was very active in scouts and served as a troop leader. There, he met some of his best lifelong friends – who have described him as the best partner in crime a guy could ask for. Tom was also super creative, and he loved to build and craft many items for his family, home, and garden. Tom was also a lifelong New York Yankees fan. Tom, alongside his wife, retired to Venice, Florida in 2011. In retirement, Tom found renewed purpose, becoming a licensed funeral director at Farley Funeral Home, a calling born from his innate compassion and empathy. There, he made many dear friends. He also became a grandfather and best friend to his sweet granddaughter, Ellie, and they enjoyed many adventures filled with nothing but shenanigans and joy! Instead of being called Grandpa or Grampy, Tom was affectionately named “Happy” by Ellie. Happy and Ellie developed a super close bond, where Ellie was known as Geek Girl or Little Geekie, and Tom became the Geek Dragon or just Geekie. Tom loved torturing his family with his cold hands even in warm Florida. Tom leaves a legacy of mischief and mirth and will be remembered as the best husband, dad, and Happy ever. He is survived by his wife, Mary Ann, daughter, Sarah, son, Tommy, and granddaughter Ellie, as well as his sister-in-law, Tricia King, brother and sister-in-law, Andrew and Linda Bartlewski, sister-in-law, Pat Bartlewski as well as numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, Edward and Rose Pacyna, his sister, Dorothy Pacyna, and his brothers-in-law, Don King and Peter Bartlewski. Celebrations of life will be planned for Autumn 2024 and announced later.