Thomas W. Ranney

Thomas W. Ranney of South Windsor, formerly of West Hartford, died Dec. 5, 2016, at home. He was the beloved husband of Gloria (Modderman) Ranney, who was holding his hand when he passed into the arms of his Savior, Jesus Christ. Tom died after a valiant, courageous battle with Parkinson's disease. He and his wife, Gloria, had 31 wonderful years of marriage.

Tom was born in Fair Haven, Vermont, on July 11, 1927, son of the late Clayton and Helen (Mulholland) Ranney. Mr. Ranney, after serving in the U.S. Navy in Japan, attended Dartmouth College, graduating in 1952. He taught English and history in Hawaii and at the Tilton School in New Hampshire. He later taught English at Sedgwick Middle School in West Hartford for over 25 years.

Upon retiring from teaching, Tom fulfilled a lifelong dream of becoming a private pilot and flew around New England for 14 years. Tom was also a part-time historic interpreter at the Mark Twain House & Museum for 35 years. To many, he was Mr. Mark Twain. Tom's love of language could be seen in being an avid reader and his love for the daily crossword puzzle.

Tom was known for his very dry sense of humor, which became known to the family as "Ranneyisms."

Besides his wife, Mr. Ranney leaves three children, Thomas and Deb Ranney of Fort Ann, New York, Kent Ranney and Carole McKee of Ellington, and Laura Ranney Robinson and her husband, Brian, of Marlborough. He also leaves his wife's children, Michael and Willa Berghuis of South Windsor, Timothy Berghuis and his wife, Jill Ainslie, of Grand Rapids, Michigan, and David and Barbara Berghuis of Caledonia, Michigan. He leaves his brother, Philip Ranney of Fair Haven. He also leaves four grandchildren, Devon Ranney, Nathan Ranney, Katy Berghuis Pastoor and her husband, Andrew, and Michael T. Berghuis. He was predeceased by his son, Lawrence Ranney; and his brother, Richard Ranney.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, Jan. 7, 2017, at 11 a.m., at the Avery Street Christian Reformed Church, 661 Avery St., South Windsor. His family will receive friends prior to the service from 10 to 11 a.m. Burial will be private at the request of his family.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made in Thomas' name to the Mark Twain House & Museum c/o The Development Department, 351 Farmington Ave., Hartford, CT 06105-4401; and/or the American Parkinson's Disease Association Inc., P.O. Box 718, Mystic, CT 06372.

Wheresoever he was, there was Eden. (Mark Twain on the death of his wife, Olivia).