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Thomas Pearson
In Memory of
Thomas
Pearson
1918 - 2018
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Obituary for Thomas Pearson

Thomas  Pearson
Thomas David Pearson Jr, a humble man from the era of the greatest honorable generation, a survivor of Pearl Harbor, passed away peacefully on April 17, 2018, at Rocky Hill Veteran's Healthcare Center, just 3 months shy of his 100th birthday. Thomas was born in West Springfield, Massachusetts, July 26, 1918, the oldest of five siblings. Thomas joined the United States Navy in 1939, to earn monies to help support his family. Tom served 6 years in the Navy, until post World War II, in 1945. Tom was aboard the USS San Francisco, at Pearl Harbor, December 7, 1941, and shared vivid memories of the attack. In the Navy, Tom proudly served aboard a few ships, as a First Class Gunner's Mate, completing 16 different Pacific Campaigns, and earned a Presidential Citation and an array of medals. "Uncle Tom" was given the nickname of "Turnpike Tom" as he enjoyed driving, and drove across the USA from New England to California at least six times, "Getting kicks on Route 66". While living in sunny California, for many years, Tom and his wife Sadie owned an egg farm in Yucaipa, California. They traveled road trips to Texas, Arizona and Arkansas, to visit family. In the late 1960's they returned to New England, and settled in Windsor Locks, Connecticut. Tom was employed at Montgomery on Main Street in Windsor Locks, Connecticut, for over 20 years. Uncle Tom continued to drive until he was 93 years old and macular degeneration affected his clear vision. Uncle Tom was a treasured oral historian, he loved his Irish heritage, potatoes, and Irish music, along with the music of the Big Band Era. Tom enjoyed conversations with people, he was amazingly accurate with facts and history. He could describe the telephone system using the dial phones with four numbers to call a neighbor. Tom could talk about the progress of communication, as he used his own flip cell phone until the age of 94 years. Tom was alert to current events and could relate his own life's challenges to the stressors of today. It is absolutely fascinating the numerous changes in progress Uncle Tom experienced in his life. Uncle Tom was predeceased by his wife, Sadie (Simpson), in 2017, his younger brother Robert Pearson, his sisters, Corinne Ollari, Lillian Ferris, and Flora Foze. Uncle Tom is survived by his nephew and caretaker, David Ollari (Henrietta) of Windsor, CT., nephew, Donald Ollari (Lisa), of Rocky Point, NC, nieces, Dale Smith (Richard) of Windsor Locks, CT, Darlene Senofonte (Mark) of Windsor Locks, CT, nephews, James Ferris (Cindy) of Agawam, MA, Daniel Ferris (Anne) of New York, niece, Christine Padron (Eliazar) of McKinney, TX. Tom is also survived by two sisters-in-law, Delores Pearson of Agawam, MA and Mildred Boyd of Midland, Texas, and many cousins and great nieces and nephews. The family expresses many thanks for the exceptional and attentive compassionate care provided by the Nurses, APRN's, CNA's and Dr. John Romano and Father Mike, at the Rocky Hill Veteran's Hospital. A private funeral with military honors will be held by the family.
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