Thomas Alan Oakley

Thomas Alan "Tom" Oakley of Burlington, Connecticut, passed away peacefully on Christmas morning, December 25, 2024, in Burlington, Connecticut. Born on July 9, 1945, in Waterbury, Connecticut, Tom was the son of the late Albert Benjamin Oakley and Margaret Teresa (née Hoard).

Tom attended Bucks Hill Grammar School and Crosby High School in Waterbury and was a communicant of St. Michael The Archangel Church. Tom retired from Stop and Shop on Chase Avenue, Waterbury where he worked for ten years as a cashier and in the floral department. He also worked for Grand Union, property rehabilitation in Newburyport, Massachusetts, hotel management in North Fort Myers, Florida, and banquet server and captain at the Sheraton and Courtyard by Marriott in Waterbury.

A dedicated advocate for veterans, Tom honored the memory of his brother, PFC William Joseph Oakley, the first Vietnam War casualty from Waterbury. He was actively involved in planning William's 60th anniversary remembrance for May 28, 2025 and participated in numerous veteran organizations, including The Vietnam Wall Memorial, The Wall That Heals, TAPS Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors, and American Gold Star Mothers and Families chapters in Tampa Bay, New Port Richey, Florida, Waterbury, and the State of Connecticut. He championed initiatives supporting education, health care, housing, and disabled veterans.

After being diagnosed with advanced prostate and bone cancer, Tom became an advocate for early detection and research into male cancers. He encouraged PSA testing and prostate biopsies to improve men's health outcomes and raised awareness of male testing for the BRCA2 gene mutation.

Tom enjoyed family genealogy, gardening, hummingbirds, crafting, floral arrangements, holiday décor, antiques and was an avid traveler.

He is survived by his husband of 11 years and partner of 33 years, James William Beck of Burlington; sister-in-law Emily Henne (Jack) and niece Erin Anne Henne of Burlington; niece Amy Lynn Henne Drouillard (Joe) and great-nephews Jensen and Remy of Pawcatuck; cousins Ruth Hoard of Waterbury; Marybeth Norgren and Per Cederstav of Del Mar, California; godson James Cederstav of New Orleans, Louisiana; Erik Cederstav of Hoboken, New Jersey; Kurt Norgren (Miranda) and their son William of Beaumont, California; Victoria Norgren of Arcata, California; God child Tricia Cugliari of Waterbury and beloved childhood and life-long friend Claudette (Bombassi) Guilfoile of Dunedin, Florida. He is reunited with his cherished fur babies, dachshunds Rosie and Frankie.

The family extends their gratitude to Dr. Pragna Kapadia and the care team at The Carol and Ray Neag Cancer Center at UConn John Dempsey Hospital in Farmington; Visiting Nurses & Hospice of Litchfield for their compassionate care; Bob Dorr of the Waterbury Veterans Committee and Mary Kike of the Waterbury Chapter of Gold Star Mothers and Families for always including Tom and Jim; Michele Huydic, Administrator of The Evergreens Senior Housing in Burlington for advocacy for much needed equipment and services and his loving and caring neighbors.

Private services will be held per Tom's wishes. He will be interred this spring in the Beck family plot at St. Anthony's Cemetery in Litchfield. A Mass will be offered at St. Maron's Maronite Church in Torrington.

Contributions in Tom's memory may be made to The Evergreens, Residents Activities Fund, Building 10 Office, 100 Thompson's Way, Burlington, CT 06013. Arrangements are entrusted to the Connecticut Cremation Society (www.CremationCT.com). Online obituary at (www.Legacy.com).