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Thomas Prete Obituary
He was born in New Haven, Jan. 4, 1928, a son of the late Neal and Catherine Barske Prete, and was a U.S. Navy veteran, having served in World War II. He retired from the North Haven Board of Education after 26 years as an art teacher, and performed for 40 years as "Mr. Magic". He was a member of the International Brotherhood of Magicians – Ring 59 IBM, the Society of Creative Arts in Newtown, and the founder and member of Assembly #127 Society of American Magicians. He was an honorary member of the National Society of American Magicians. He had been a past member of the CT Calligraphers Association, Meriden Arts and Crafts, the Knights of Columbus, and he volunteered for 17 years at Yale New Haven Children's Hospital.
He is survived by his two daughters and sons-in-law, Elizabeth Prete and Ronald Syarto of Ledyard, and Angela and Dennis Judd of Bolton; his three sons and daughters-in-law, Neal and Tina Prete of East Haven, Thomas R. Prete Jr. and Anne Prete of Wallingford, and John and Fran Prete of North Haven; his six grandchildren, Kara Lamb, Maxwell Prete, Calvin Judd, Nicole Prete, Hayden Judd and Alicia Prete; his sister, Catherine Simonello of Madison; and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brother, Ralph Prete.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial on Saturday, June 16, at 11 a.m. in Our Lady of Victory Church, 600 Jones Hill Road, West Haven, CT. Interment in All Saints Cemetery will be private. In lieu of flowers, gifts in his memory may be sent to The Connecticut Hospice, 100 Double Beach Road, Branford, CT 06405. Arrangements are under the direction of The Wallingford Funeral Home, 809 North Main St. Ext., Wallingford, CT, 06492. www.wallingfordfh.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Thomas Prete
Christina Charpentier
June 26, 2007
To the Prete Family,
I am very sorry for your loss. Mr. Prete was only my landlord for a brief year, but I will always remember him for his generosity and humor. He has affected so many people in a positive way, myself included. You and yours will stay in my prayers.
The Bucksons
June 16, 2007
Dear Angela, Dennis and family,
We are very sorry to hear of your loss. Our thoughts are with you.
Ann Myrece (Schwartz) James
June 16, 2007
To the Prete Family,
My deepest sympathies at this sad time. I will always have fond memories of Tom from Ring 59. As a former pediatric nurse at Yale New Haven Hospital, I know first hand, the joy he brought to so many lives. He will be missed.
Sincerely,
Chris Armstrong
June 15, 2007
To Hayden
I'm really sorry about your grandfather. It must be hard to lose both so close together. I remember when I met him. He was an amazing magician and he must have been a great grandfather.
Mike Gagne
June 14, 2007
A part of magic history has left us. I'm grateful to Tom for helping me get my start as a magician and booking me my first magic show. I'll miss the old, corney jokes and the endless demonstrations of 6 card repeat. He will be missed greatly.
Adam Parisi
June 13, 2007
My thoughts and sympathies to the Prete family. It was a privilege to have known Tom and see him perform. Magic and the CT community has lost a wonderful, giving and joyful man.
Anthony Matozzo
June 12, 2007
I am very sorry for your loss and my deepest regards to the Prete Family. Tom was a great magician, friend, and most of all an inspiration. He will be sorely missed.
Jerry Brown
June 12, 2007
My deepest sympathy to the Prete Family.
I will truly miss Tom, a wonderful human being, a marvelous magician, the best story teller.
Joe Sabas
June 12, 2007
So sorry to hear of Tom's passing. He was so special to soo many.Our sincere condolences.Joe,Charlie, and Tony Sabas.from the "New Magicians Association."
Richard Osterlind
June 12, 2007
The highest compliment I can pay Tom, or any magician in the world, is his love of magic was relentless and unending. He will be sorely missed by the thousands of lives he has touched and made happier.
Murray Helfand
June 11, 2007
Jan & I will truly miss Tom as we both considered him as our friend.
Bill "Muggs" Maloney
June 11, 2007
To the Prete family, I'm very sorry for your loss. I knew Tom through magic for many years (25 - 30). Although I have not been able to be as active as I would like, for work reasons, Tom always made me feel welcome and like I was a lost friend each and every time I saw him. He was such a gracious and giving man and will be a huge loss to the magic community. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Ronald Zimmer
June 11, 2007
I am very sorry to hear about Tom's passing. My sympathy to his family.
Jeffrey Perry Czerbinski
June 11, 2007
The memories I have of Mr. Prete are those of a child mezmorized by the mysterious world of magic. My father and Mr. Prete are the two most magical men I know. I will always remember Tom Prete as my friend and a blessing to this world that can always use a laugh and a bit of magic. Thank you Mr. Prete.
Gale Alexander
June 11, 2007
I'm so sorry that our own Tom of Tom, Dick and Harry is gone. I have many fond memories of Tom and his antics. He will surely be missed by everyone he touched.
Jim Lang
June 11, 2007
Along with the other members of IBM Ring 59, I mourn the loss of our member and extend my sincere sympathy to Tom's family.
Jim & Sandy Sisti
June 11, 2007
We are so very sorry for your loss. Tom will leave a void in Connecticut magic - and in the lives of everyone who knew him - that will not be easily filled.
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