Thomas Braga

Thomas "Tom" Emmanuel Braga, 83, of rural Wentworth, Missouri, passed away on June 29, 2025, at Barnes Jewish Hospital in St. Louis after a short illness.

Tom was born on March 3, 1942, in Marlboro, Massachusetts, to Isabell Ann Becauski and Emmanuel Joseph Braga. On January 17, 1969, he married the love of his life, Linda Marie Beane, and together they shared 57 wonderful years.

Tom was a man from a different era, known for his unmatched work ethic and deep devotion to his family. Surviving a difficult and abusive childhood, he built a life defined by resilience, integrity, and faith. He left school before completing eighth grade to help support his family, going on to work nearly fifty years as a talented welder and pipefitter, traveling across the country and earning a reputation as someone who could "weld anything but the crack of dawn." Later, in retirement, he worked at the Clark Center as a maintenance man, still happiest with something to do and problems to solve.

He was a brilliant mechanical mind and a natural problem-solver who could fix anything, from machines to everyday household issues, freely sharing his skills and knowledge with others. A man of many talents, Tom raised enormous gardens every year, sharing the harvest with anyone in need, and for years worked alongside his daughters raising and showing Columbia sheep, collecting numerous awards and creating lifelong memories.

Tom taught his children the value of hard work, personal responsibility, and faith, raising them in church and leaving them with the confidence that their families would be together again in heaven. A born-again Christian, Tom's favorite hymn was It Is Well With My Soul, a message of comfort and peace for those he leaves behind.

He had a rugged, no-nonsense personality with a soft spot for his daughters, grandchildren, and many others struggling through hard times. He was proud to help countless people find sobriety and maintain it for nearly sixty years, a powerful example of compassion and encouragement. Tom was known for his iconic mustache (which he only shaved once, to his children's dismay) and his unique sense of humor, wearing outrageous "no filter" T-shirts and delivering sarcasm straight to the very end - once even telling his daughter after a hospital procedure, "OK, enough BS, get to work, head rub."

He also loved singing his famous gruff-baritone happy birthday song to his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, a tradition they will deeply miss. Tom's Fourth of July celebrations were legendary, and his family plans to honor him with fireworks in his memory.

Above all, Tom was a steadfast husband who loved and protected his wife with all his heart. He was also a cherished friend, a trusted advisor, and a mentor to many, known for long phone calls, wise counsel, and stories that could leave a room laughing for hours. His best buddy and companion, Ritter, will forever be looking for Tom in his favorite chair, missing their nightly conversations.

Tom is survived by his beloved wife, Linda; his children: Cheri Been; Jamie Allard and husband Al; Piper Andrews and husband Jared; Cassidy Glass and husband Sam and Sunshine Stewart. He was a proud grandfather to Bryce Been; Riley Allard; Tristan Allard; Alexandria Andrews and partner Soloman; Natalie Schmidt and husband Tim; Jared Andrews and wife Paige; Hunter Andrews; and Addison Andrews and partner Payton, and a great-grandfather to Skylar, Trygg, Asher, and Kopelynn.

He is also survived by his siblings, Susan Braga, Irene Gower and husband Bill, and Phillip Braga; as well as many beloved nieces and nephews: Johnathan, Joanie, Christopher, Jared, Ariell, Analice, Abby, and Chrissy; and great-nieces and great-nephews Della, Harley, Quinn, Ava, Perry, Cassandra, Griffen, and Ella.

Tom was preceded in death by his parents, Isabell Ann Becauski and Emmanuel Joseph Braga, and his brothers Michael Braga, David Braga, Alfred Braga, and Paul Braga.

His family and friends will remember Tom for his loyalty, humor, honesty, and enormous heart. Though he may have joked he was "damn close" to perfect, to those who loved him, he was everything.