Deacon Thomas Patrick Scanlon

1931 - 2020

February 15, 1931 – December 12, 2020: Tom died from COVID at Jerome Home, in New Britain, CT with his daughters outside his window. He survived Polio and Rickets before he was 10 years old. Tom was born during the Depression to Irish immigrants Bridget and Thomas J. Scanlon in New York City. During his early years he faced the death of his parents and the challenges of foster care. Tom settled with the Willoughby family for several years. During this time he developed his deep faith. He met Dede Ehlenberger (Birmingham) and the Petock family who supported him through his early years. Dad spoke of many kind people (Max Lander and Buddy Krieger) who directed him to the importance of an education and being a honorable man. Tom was drafted in 1949, served in the Korean war and was stationed at White Sands Proving Grounds where he worked in the newly created guided missile program under Werner Van Braun. He was honorably discharged in 1954. On a blind date of the same year he met the love of his life Sue A. Palen. They were married on August 27, 1955 and their eternal love endured for over 63 years. Tom applied to Manhattan College under the GI bill and was accepted. The next four years he worked for Otis Elevator and earned a degree in Accounting. He graduated from Manhattan College in 1959 with two small children. Tom and Sue moved to Granby in 1961 with Dad opening the Arthur Anderson Co. Hartford office where they resided for 52 years. He was employed by Connecticut General (now CIGNA) for over 32 years. Tom was Treasurer of Connecticut General Investment Management Company in Bloomfield, CT at the time of his retirement. Tom was very active in his community and church. He served as a Granby Selectman, CCD teacher, Eucharistic Minister, and a variety of other positions. Upon retirement Tom worked as a Granby Ambulance Volunteer. He entered the Archdiocese of Harford Deaconate program in 1989 and became a Deacon in 1993 for the St. Bernard's and later St. Mary's parishes in Simsbury, CT. He officiated many baptisms, weddings, funerals, communion, and prayer services at elderly housing. He was a prison chaplain, organized sandwich preparation for the House of Bread, ran the RCIA and the Small Christian Communities. He was a friend to all and always ready to lend a personal helping hand. Tom was a dedicated family man known for his sense of humor and cute jokes which entertained family and friends especially his grandchildren. Ask any of the grandchildren how to make holy water and they can tell you! Tom and Sue loved sharing Cape Cod sunsets, home, gardening, and their back porch which hosted many happy large gatherings. Tom and Sue's family loved McLean game refuge where they walked, sledded and x-country skied. As a testament to their love their initials are carved into the bench at Spring Pond. Tom is survived by his two daughters, Katherine and her husband Lou Rawden of Darien, CT; Jeanne and her husband John Anderson of Cheshire, CT, and son Chris and his wife Glynnis Scanlon of Milford, CT; 7 grandchildren: Thomas A. Scanlon, Katie-Suzie and Louie Rawden, Zoe and Jack Anderson, Sara and Matthew Scanlon; dear brother-in-laws Steve Palen of Pompano Beach, FL, Michael and Sandy Palen of Mahopac, NY, his foster sister Betty Kinahan, foster brother Bob Willoughby and many adored nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his wife Sue Scanlon, his children Suzanne B. and Thomas V. Scanlon; foster cousin Dede Birmingham, his sisters Katherine Sutton and Sarah O'Keefe and his birth brothers Michael and Charles Scanlon. Funeral Services will take place on August 27, 2021 which would be their 66th Anniversary so we can celebrate Tom's life with all who loved him. The details will be announced closer to the service. Donations in Tom's memory may be made to the House of Bread, 1453 Main Street, Hartford, CT., 06120 or donatenow.networkforgood.org. Hayes-Huling & Carmon Funeral Home of Granby has care of the arrangements. For condolences please visit www.carmonfuneralhome.com.