Thomas B. Tormey

Thomas Bernard Tormey passed away peacefully on August 26, 2026, surrounded by family and friends. He was 95. Tom is survived by his children Thomas Tormey (Stephanie), Joanne Shultz (Craig), John Tormey (Elle), and Ken Tormey (Nancie), his beloved grandchildren and great-grandchildren, his younger sister Anne Tickle (Bill), and his dear niece, Kathy Restivo. Tom was born in Brooklyn, NY, the second of five children to the late Michael Tormey and Helen Tormey. After graduating from John Adams High School he worked for Haloid Company, which later became Xerox, his employer and “work family” for 43 years. Tom met the love of his life, Joyce Kathleen Stanton, a few months before being drafted into the army in 1953. He was stationed in Leghorn Italy, and he corresponded with Joyce throughout his time there. Tom and Joyce were married on August 23, 1958. When their children were still young, they moved to Millington, NJ where they built a house, raised their children, made lifelong friendships and lived happily for 23 years. Tom and Joyce “retired” to the Lions Head community in Brick, NJ in 1992, but playing golf, bocci and swimming weren’t enough for Tom, so he started a new career in real estate, which he enjoyed doing well into his 80’s. Tom and Joyce lived happily together in Brick until Joyce passed on March 2, 2025. The following September Tom moved to an assisted living facility in Woodbridge, CT to be closer to Joanne and her family.

Tom often said that he was “the luckiest man on earth” because he was married to “the most beautiful woman in the world.” He and Joyce lived a remarkable love story over the course of more than seven decades. They finished each other’s sentences, often shared a knowing look and smile that was only theirs, laughed together often and easily, and danced spontaneously across the kitchen floor on a regular basis, for no reason other than pure love.

Throughout his life, Tom was devoted to his family, church and community. He was the dad who took the train home from his office in NYC and raced to the field in his suit and tie to coach his sons’ little league baseball teams and youth basketball leagues. He chaperoned overnight field trips, picked up his kids at any hour without hesitation, put all four kids through college, helped them buy houses, and supported them endlessly with love, kindness and sound advice until his final days. Tom also had an inspiring Catholic faith, and was active in the church throughout his life, as a CCD instructor, Eucharist minister and volunteer.

Tom had an open, warm personality, an effortless ability to put others at ease, and a genuine interest in getting to know anyone who was fortunate to cross his path. Tom also had a zest for life. He enjoyed riding roller coasters with his grandkids well into his 80’s and swam in the ocean with his grandkids into his 90’s. He loved his family unconditionally and he was definitely our rock. If you knew Tom, he cared about you, he made you feel valued, he made you laugh, and he went out of his way to help you, any and every chance he got. It took the man three times as long as it should to get ready to leave the house, or to run an errand, but then he’d appear with a twinkle in his bright blue eyes and a sheepish smile that made him worth the wait. Our family is left with an enormous hole, but our hearts are overflowing with gratitude for Tom and Joyce, who we know are finally together for eternity.

A celebration of life will take place at a later date. Memorial donations may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital at stjude.org or by mail to 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

Funeral arrangements are in care of Beecher & Bennett Funeral Home, 2300 Whitney Avenue, Hamden. To send condolences to Thomas's family, please see his obituary at www.beecherandbennett.com.