Thomas E. Zabit

Thomas E. Zabit, 79, of Durham, passed away at home surrounded by his loving wife of 51 years, Elaine, and family after a courageous battle against cancer on June 22, 2011.

He was born Feb. 2, 1932, in Waterbury, the seventh child of Peter and Tharsille (Audette) Zabit. He graduated from Sacred Heart High School, where he excelled in basketball and baseball. He went on to serve his country in the U.S. Army, the 172nd Infantry, stationed in Munich, Germany, during the Korean Conflict. He returned home to begin a career in the printing trade, following an apprenticeship at the Waterbury Republican-American. After accepting a job with the Middletown Press, he and his wife settled in Durham, where they raised their family and were parishioners of Notre Dame Church. Tom was active in the community with the Little League, CYO Basketball, the Exchange Club, the North Haven Ski Club, and the New Haven Yacht Club. After 35 years, Tom retired from the Middletown Press and went on to enjoy his summers in Penobscot, Maine, with Elaine. He remained busy in retirement by golfing, kayaking, watching the University of Connecticut's men's and women's basketball, but he loved socializing the most. His quick wit made him a popular friend to many and a source of great joy to his family. The loss of which they won't soon recover from.

His family would like to thank the many relatives and friends who were so supportive over the past seven months. Their visits and phone calls were daily reminders of how special those relationships were, and made the family's pain more bearable.

Besides his wife, Elaine, Tom leaves his three children, Greg Zabit of Toms River, N.J., Gretchen Young and her husband, Kenneth, of South Windsor, and Heidi Zabit of Durham. He also leaves a brother, George Zabit of Goshen; a sister, Ruth Lestage of Waterbury; and the pride and joy of his life, his nine grandchildren, Lynn Carter, Carrie, Skylar, and Jacqueline Zabit, Gabrielle and Ryan Young, and Jeff, Adam, and Jason Tibbetts. He also leaves behind many nieces and nephews.

Funeral services for Mr. Zabit will be held on Monday, June 27, 2011, at 9 a.m. from the Casey-O'Donnell Family Funeral Home, 1581 E. Main St., Waterbury, to the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, 74 W. Main St., Waterbury, for a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. Burial will be held at the convenience of the family.

Family and friends may visit at the funeral home on Sunday, June 26, from 4 to 6 p.m.

Memorial donations in Mr. Zabit's memory may be made to Sacred Heart High School, 142 S. Elms St., Waterbury, CT 06706.

To extend online expressions of sympathy to the family or for additional information, visit the funeral home website at

www.caseyodonnell.com