Thomas F. Tumicki Sr.

Thomas F. (Tom) Tumicki, Sr. Died July 26, 2009 NORWICH -Thomas F. (Tom) Tumicki, Sr., a life-long resident of the Norwich/ Franklin area, died Sunday at age 82 after a long illness. He is survived by his beloved wife of 48 years, Theresa (Dzialo); three sons, Timothy F. Tumicki of Waterford, Thomas F. Tumicki, Jr. (Kathy) and grandchildren John and Claire of Bloomfield Hills MI, and Reverend Ted F. Tumicki of St. Joseph Parish in Occum (Norwich). Tom was the son of John B. Tumicki and Frances Danilowicz Tumicki, and brother of Robert Tumicki (deceased) and John B. Tumicki of Pascagoula, MS. He is also survived by many cousins, nieces, and nephews. Tom had a lifelong love of aviation and was one of the founding members of the New England Air Museum. He studied Aeronautical Engineering at Mohawk College and Northrop School of Aeronautics, then worked at Pratt and Whitney Aircraft designing jet engines in East Hartford for 40 years. He is the holder of five aeronautical patents. Tom was the last surviving founding member of the R-1 Gee Bee Racer replica team, which began in the 1960s, under Howell W. “Pete� Miller, the designer of the original R-1 airplane. Over more than 25 years, Tom's avocation was compiling and reproducing drawings of the “Gee Bee.� The drawings, and the reproduction Gee Bee, are currently on display at the New England Air Museum. Tom was dedicated to the Norwich area, and served as Secretary of the Yantic Fire Engine Company #1 for 32 consecutive years. He was a lifelong parishioner at Sacred Heart Church, Norwichtown, and served as an usher, Eucharistic minister, and member of the parish council. His “home away from home� was Russell's Motor Camps in Rangeley ME, where Tom vacationed with four generations of his family, between 1936 and 2005. Visitation will be Wednesday from 4:00 - 8:00 pm, with a prayer service at 7:00pm, at Woyasz and Son Funeral Home, 141 Central Avenue in Norwich. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Thursday at 10:30 am at St. Patrick Cathedral in Norwich meeting directly at church. Burial will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery in Norwich. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the New England Air Museum, 36 Perimeter Road, Windsor Locks CT 06096; or to the Yantic Fire Engine Company #1, 151 Yantic Road, Yantic CT 06389.