Menu
Search by Name
Search by Name
Thomas Bruenn Obituary
Thomas Bruenn (86), beloved husband of Menderes Cirakoglu, passed away on May 27, 2025 after a brief illness. Born on February 28, 1939, in Meriden, he was the second son of William Bruenn and Edith Tomassetti Bruenn, both of whom, along with his older brother William, have predeceased him.
Thomas graduated from Meriden High School in 1957 and earned a B.S. degree in mathematics with a minor in social studies from Central Connecticut State College (now CCSU). He later obtained an M.S. in Mathematics and a Sixth-Year Degree from the same institution.
Beginning his career as a mathematics teacher at O.H. Platt High School in 1961, Thomas devoted 37 years to education, retiring in 1998 as the chair of the mathematics department. In addition to his role at O.H. Platt, he also taught part-time at CCSU and at New Haven Tech.
Thomas, with the help of many of his colleagues, was instrumental in founding the Meriden Federation of Teachers and played a crucial role in establishing unions for non-teaching staff. As president of the MFT, he led a significant strike in 1976 to secure a fair contract. After retiring, he served for four years on the Board of Education and continued his involvement in education through teaching at CCSU and at New Haven Tech.
Notably, Thomas, along with his students and colleagues, created the Celebration of Sir Isaac Newton to honor Newton's contributions to mathematics and physics. He also played a key role in establishing a robotics team for First Foundation competitions and was recognized as "GUS." Additionally, he served as a member and chairperson of the Meriden Anti-Poverty Committee and the Committee for "Vision for a Better Meriden." He was a founding member of "Dollars for Scholars," now known as Project Excel, Inc., a 501(c)(3) charity that began in 1983 to provide awards to students in Meriden. To date, Project Excel has disbursed over a million dollars in awards and scholarships.
Thomas received several accolades for his educational and social contributions, including being named Meriden's Teacher of the Year in 1976.
In accordance with Thomas' wishes, all services will be private. Those wishing to honor his memory may make a donation to Project Excel, Inc., c/o Madison Greenstein, O.H. Platt High School, 220 Coe Avenue, Meriden, CT 06451, or to a charity of their choice. Arrangements are under the direction of the Meriden Memorial Funeral Home, 450 Broad St. www.meridenmemorialfh.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Thomas Bruenn
Jay Kaplan
June 6, 2025
I have had the pleasure of caring for Mr Brueen for many years till his move out of state. He was a most dedicated person. He spent his life trying to make the world better. His work at Platt High School and his extra work in the Teachers Union were all to make the educational system better. His legacy will be remembered by so many. Jay Kaplan
Avis Robin
June 3, 2025
I am sorry to hear of Tom's passing. His dedication to education, his students, and the rights of teachers to be fairly treated and represented was remarkable. He represented me in a hearing regarding a principal's decision that defied union policy --- which I won, thanks to Tom. I was honored to attend a reception to celebrate the union of Tom and Menderes. I will never forget him!
Rose Green
June 2, 2025
Mr Bruenn as we discussed years ago you made a very big change in my life you got me involved in theater and singing We had many conversations and you gave me many directions you always told me I would do well working with youth so I did for the state for 28 years I am so happy I got to thank you for your guidance you saw something in me that I did not see in myself rest in peace my mentor
Brian Murdy
June 1, 2025
My condolences to Menderesand the rest of the family. Mr. Bruenn made a huge difference in my life, but not from learning the subject that he was teaching. It was from learning from his life lessons that he intermingled every day. His humor and respect for others was also greatly appreciated. Say "Hi" to Sir Isaac for all of us.
Barry D. Friedman, Dahlonega, Ga.
May 31, 2025
When Tom Bruenn passed away on May 27, it brought to a conclusion my 57 years of cherished friendship with him. I first got to know him when I became a member of Platt High School´s Key Club during my sophomore year (1968-1969). He and Frank Perkins, whom we sadly lost 13 years ago, were the club´s faculty advisors. They saw their role as being models of school and community service so that we could follow their example. I was Mr. Bruenn´s math student during my junior and senior years. So the poor guy had to interact with me day after day, as he taught me math and as we worked together on numerous service projects for the Key Club, the Kiwanis Club that sponsored us, and the Civitan Club of which he was a loyal and active member. Among other things, I recall that we sold lots of Claxton fruit cakes for Civitan and salted-in-the-shell peanuts for Kiwanis. And, as he and I interacted day after day, I made a concerted effort to learn from him everything that he was willing to share with the other students and me, both in terms of how to teach and how to serve. As I proceeded through my own career as a teacher, I would be alert to opportunities to emulate Mr. Bruenn´s kindness, ingenuity, and enthusiasm. I was in contact with him as recently as February, and it disheartens me that I can´t correspond with him any longer. But how fortunate I was that Mr. Bruenn was an enduring part of my life. I will always be grateful for that advantage.
Jeff Thielman
May 31, 2025
I had Tom for math in my junior and senior years at PHS. He challenged his students in and outside of the classroom, teaching us not just math, but how to think critically about the world around us. I was lucky to stay in touch with him for many years. He visited me when I was working at a school on the south side of Chicago, said hello a few times on trips to Boston, and was always happy when I stopped by his home with a growing family in tow. Tom was a great teacher and friend, he changed thousands of lives, and he will be missed. Rest in peace, T.E.B!
Rick Cavanaugh
May 31, 2025
RIP Tom. He was a great mentor and teacher for so many. I feel priviledged to know him and he was tremedously impactful on my life. We didn't speak often in the last few years but our conversations were always meaningful and I will never forget him.
Paul Gallo
May 31, 2025
Our band played a house party for students at the Bruenn home in 1968. Being from the East Side, I could see what a good guy he was and how the Platt kids looked up to him. Then he went out of his way to explain that his bar was reputed to be from the gangster, Dutch Schultz!
Pedro Vazquez
May 31, 2025
Mr. Bruenn was one of the main reasons I became a math teacher in the city of Bridgeport for over forty years. His love, compassion and humor for teaching high level mathematics was compelling. I regret ever thanking him in person for just sharing that enthusiasm for mathematics that inspired me to do the same with my students and colleagues. I always crack a smile seeing his picture in my yearbook as "The Big Fig" ln the Sir Isaac Newton parade. Rest in peace. May God give much peace and comfort to your family.
Christopher P. Cook
May 31, 2025
Mr. Bruenn was the only teacher I considered a Professor in my years at Platt. He was my Mathematical Super Man in every way. I had almost zero interest in math, yet he kept me interested enough for the three years I wound up in his classrooms. I'm not sure I could have stayed awake through Algebra one, two and Computer Programming if it wasn't for his sense of humor and dedication to his craft. I know there's a hilarious photo of him out there somewhere wearing a a Super Man costume that closely resembles the Michelin Tire Man. His dedication to making sure his students left his classroom capable of succeeding in life was unmatched. I had so much respect for him, in that essence. Great guy, great teacher and an unmatched sense of humor that I'll never forget. Thank you, Mr, Bruenn, and rest peacefully. Christopher P. Cook. P.S., Ed Guilmette, drop me a line sometime at [email protected] I'm sure you are well, Cookie.
Miles Murdocca
May 30, 2025
Mr. Bruenn was the best teacher for the most challenging math classes. All I wanted to know is what he was going to say next.
Tony Dionizio
May 30, 2025
This saddens me deeply. Thomas was my favorite mathematics teacher. Rest in Peace Good Sir. Thanks for your wisdom and friendship during my time at O. H. Platt.
Rich Hanley
May 30, 2025
I did not have the privilege of taking a course with Mr Bruenn but my Class of 1974 classmates always spoke highly of him. I did talk with him from time to time at Platt and I was always impressed with his logic in framing answers with new questions to ponder.
Edward Guilmette
May 30, 2025
Mr Bruenn...an amazing teacher who made calculus fun so much so you never forgot him!
Rest in peace Mr Bruenn (S.I.N.)
Jim Seldner
May 30, 2025
Cheerful, witty, and helpful...Thanks, Tom. Your presence is always a spark of Hope.
Michael Barker
May 30, 2025
Tom was a great math teacher, he made it interesting, challenging, and with his wit even fun. He later became a friend.
He truly believed in and fought for Meriden's students.
R.I.P. Mr. B
Tad Sattler
May 30, 2025
Tom was a true friend that would do anything to help out a fellow human being. He was a friend of my parents first and then a friend of mine. Many happy memories of our adventures together. Boating on Candlewood Lake. Staying at his rental house on Cape Cod. Worst driver that I ever knew. We would purposely block his car in when going somewhere from his house so that he couldn't drive. My favorite memory is going through Customs with him in Milan, Italy. We were meeting three friends there and Tom was carrying a package in his luggage from one of those friend's sister. It was a coffee can with the contents and the can wrapped in tinfoil. All the security alarms went off. Guards screaming at us in Italian. Tom opened the package and showed them the contents. "It's just chocolate chip cookies!" I will miss you my friend!
Carolyn Datchuck
May 30, 2025
Tom was a very special man who will be sorely missed. I remember working with him on various projects. He always cared about other people. My condolences to Menderes. My thoughts are with you.
Colleen May
May 30, 2025
A dedicated teacher and union leader. Mr. Bruenn inspired myself and many others to become active union members and leaders in the Meriden Federation of Teachers. He will be missed.
Cathy McKney
May 30, 2025
Mr. Bruenn was my trigonometry teacher at Platt High School, and I remember him fondly. He had a unique way of making math memorable - not just with formulas and functions, but with his quick wit and wonderfully quirky sense of humor. He brought joy and laughter into the classroom, and somehow made sine, cosine, and tangent a little more fun. Mr. B left a lasting impact on all our lives, not just as a teacher, but as someone who truly cared. Godspeed, Mr. B - and thank you for everything.
Keith Gordon
May 30, 2025
May His New Journey In Heaven Be Blessed and May There Be Peace to His Family and Friends. Tom You Were a Great Man.
Jazmin Molina
May 30, 2025
Mr. Bruenn was my mathematics teacher at Platt, our senior yearbook organizer, and he was a great mentor. He left a lasting impact on all our lives. Rest in eternal peace, Mr. B!
Christina Kiewlen´s lepi
May 29, 2025
Prayers are with Tom´s family. He was my favorite math teacher and the reason I became one as well. He was a terrific mentor. Rest in peace
Showing 1 - 23 of 23 results
Make a Donation
in Thomas Bruenn's name
Please consider a donation as requested by the family.
Memorial Events
for Thomas Bruenn
How to support Thomas's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreResources to help you cope with loss
How to Cope With Grief
Information and advice to help you cope with the death of someone important to you.
Read more
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read moreWays to honor Thomas Bruenn's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
