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Thomas Wilke Obituary
A longtime parishioner of St. James Parish, he was born in Manchester and a graduate of its local schools. He received further education from the University of Oklahoma and the University of Connecticut. He served in the U.S. Army and the European Theatre during WW II where he was commissioned to Second Lieutenant. He was later called back to service during the Korean Conflict.
Besides his wife Monica of 55 years; Tom is survived by his four children and their spouses, Maureen and Doug Ogrean, Michele and Peter Petrone, Mary Pat and Tim Devanney, and Tom and Rakel Wilke. He was the very proud grandfather to his wonderful grandchildren, Daniel Paquette; Erin and Eric Ogrean; Anthony, Kimberly and Matthew Petrone; Mandy, Molly, John, Tim, and Cathleen Devanney; Christine and Jon Sheehan, Ingrid, Peter and Emily Wilke. He was also the recent great-grandfather to Maggie Sheehan. He also leaves his sisters, Betty Everett and Maryann Lathrop; along with several nieces and nephews. His brother-in-law. Tom Toomey and his wife, Cathy will miss him greatly, as well as their children and grandchildren. Missing him also will be his four-legged companion, Tully.
He owned several businesses in Connecticut through the years, including T.E. Wilke Associates, Belmont Rug & Carpet Cleaning, Vulcan Radiator, Essex Sash & Door and Norwalk Wilbert Vault. He was a lifelong member and past Commander of the U.S. Power Squadron, The Nayaug Yacht Club and the Old Harbor Yacht Club. In addition he was a proud member of the Manchester Citizens Police Academy. After retirement he obtained the position of Director of Transportation for Highland Park Market where he was loved by both his fellow workers and customers.
Funeral service will be held on Saturday, September 9, 2006, at 8:15 a.m. from the John F. Tierney Funeral Home, 219 West Center St., Manchester, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 9 a.m. at St. James Church, Main St., Manchester, followed by burial, with full military honors, in East Cemetery.
Family and friends may call at the funeral home on Friday evening from 4 to 7 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to MACC Soup Kitchen 33 Park St. P.O. Box 3804, Manchester, CT 06045-3804 or to the St. Vincent DePaul Society at St. James Church, 896 Main St., Manchester, CT 06040.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Thomas Wilke
Eleanor Proctor
September 10, 2006
To the Wilke family,
My thoughts and prayers are with you at this sad time. Tom will be missed. He was such a kind and caring person, a true gentleman.
Jim&Joan Nilsson
September 7, 2006
Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Alexandra Teguis
September 7, 2006
To Mona and Family,
My deepest sympathy to you in your time of sorrow. Never in my life have I ever met such a gentleman as Tom. He was very caring, had a great sense of humor, and was very down to earth. My thoughts and prayers are with you at this sad time.
Beth Stafford, Executive Director
September 7, 2006
Dearest Mona and Family,
My heart grieves with yours over the loss of your husband and best friend, Thomas. You and your entire family are in my thoughts and prayers as you endure this most painful time. It is a comfort to me (as I know it is for you) to know that you have a loving family, extensive church family, countless friends and neighbors and community who care about you.
The reason people care so deeply for you is that you and Tom have cared so deeply for all of us! After I met you Mona, I always felt supported and loved, especially in the work I do for MACC charities. Thank you for that love and support; it has been a great source of comfort to me. I hope I can comfort you in some way now. You have my love and support.
I know you will miss your husband terribly but I also know you will have wonderful memories that will bring much joy to you in your quiet moments ahead. Those are precious times to look forward to and to share often with your family and friends.
Only God can guide you through sorrowful times such as these. May He console your spirit and give you the full measure of strength you need now.
Warmly,
Beth
Manchester Area Conference of Churches
Kevin Dahill
September 7, 2006
Dear Mona,
My warmest thoughts to you. Tom was and still is a great man, he'll be fondly remembered by all who knew him.
Lynne West
September 6, 2006
Dear Mona and Family...
My deepest sympathy to you and your family. How fortunate I am to have met you and Tom a few years back when we attended The Manchester Citizens Police Academy together. Whenever I saw Tom over the years, he was wearing that heartfelt smile of his. When I would see him working at Highland Park Market, he would always take the time to stop and chat a bit. I especially enjoyed seeing him beam when he spoke of his family. My memories of him will make me smile. Tom was a kind and gentle man; he will be missed.
JIM ELLIS
September 6, 2006
TO MONA WILKIE &WILKIE FAMILY,
MAY I EXPRESS MY DEEPEST SYMPATHY.
JIM ELLIS
NEW ALLIANCE BANK
EAST CENTER ST.
Tom Villandry
September 6, 2006
A great neighbor, a good friend, a gentleman in the truest sense of the word. The world would be a much better place if there were more people like Tom and the rest of his family in it. Always ready with a wave and a smile, his gentle guidance was as welcomed as his treats for the kids. He will be missed but not forgotten.
Janet West
September 6, 2006
Dear Mona & Family -
Words can not express the sadness felt by Tom's passing. I will never forget seeing his big smile as he walked into the police department for class during our session of Citizen's Police Academy. I always thought he and Mona were the cutest couple I'd ever seen. And in the years that followed, he always had time between deliveries at Highland Park to stop and talk. I admired his sense of humor and willness to work. He will be greatly missed.
Ted & Karen Angel
September 6, 2006
Maureen & Family,
Prayers and thougths are with you at this time.
Rodriguez Carmen
September 6, 2006
You will have a special place in our hearts! Thanks for been our family too! LOVE! Carmen, Bobby, Jesus and Michell.
Carmen Rodriguez
September 6, 2006
Take comfort in knowing that now you have a special guardian angel to watch over you.
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John F. Tierney Funeral Home, Inc.219 West Center Street, Manchester, CT 06040
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