Thomas E. Crocker, 85, of Wallingford passed away Friday, September 12, 2014 at Yale-New Haven Hospital. He was the husband of Carol Kesses Crocker. Thomas was born in New Haven on August 27, 1929; son of the late Thomas and Mary McKeown Crocker; grew up in Hamden; graduate of Hamden Hall and St. Mary’s Academy, New Haven and the Culinary Institute of America. He served his country faithfully in the US Navy during the Korean War serving on the S.S. Fessendein as a Radar Operator. Tom was the owner and operator of several restaurants and catering services and later was an agent for Prudential Insurance for many years until his retirement. A great hockey fan, he had coached youth hockey in New Haven for many years. Tom was a member of the New Haven Graduate Club and the Owenego Beach & Tennis Club. Father-in-law of Jacqueline and Christine Crocker. Grandfather of Thomas, Johnathan, Megan, Matthew and Andrew. Also survived by his extended family: Steven (Wanda) Kesses, Jill & Jeff Kesses, Cindey MacDonald and their children Kasey, Kyle, Kortney Kesses and Kelly MacDonald. Predeceased by his first wife, Evelyn Crocker, two sons Robert and Thomas Crocker, and a sister Mary Kay Dell’Oro.
Family and Friends are invited to go directly to The Church of the Resurrection, 115 Pond Hill Rd., Wallingford on Thursday morning, Sept. 18th to attend a Mass of Christian burial at 10:00 and are also invited to attend the committal services with full military honors immediately following in the State Veterans Cemetery, Middletown. The visiting hours will be Wednesday, Sept. 17th from 4 to 7 pm at the North Haven Funeral Home, 36 Washington Avenue. Should friends desire, memorial contributions may be made to a charity of ones choice.
Carol,
I'm so sorry to hear of Tom's passing. I was away at the time, else I would have been at the wake and funeral. I always enjoyed seeing and talking with Tom about the music. I also enjoyed seeing you dance at the Millpond, and more recently at the Graduate Club. May he rest in peace,
t