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Thomas Braley Obituary
WORCESTER - Thomas Milton Braley, age 76, died at West Palm Hospital on December 29th, 2013 after a long health struggle.
Born January 24, 1937, in Worcester, son of John W. and Anita (DesRosiers) Braley, he lived in Worcester, Paxton, Northborough, Portsmouth, N.H., and West Palm Beach, Fla. He started his own business Braley & Wellington where he worked until retiring in 2007. Tom Braley was as honest as the day is long. A self-made man, Tom's roots were in Main South and as a caddy at Worcester Country Club. He surpassed all odds putting himself through Holy Cross College delivering root beer. He served in the Air National Guard and went on to build his own business, eventually becoming the president of Worcester Country Club. Tom Braley was a passionate man whose favorite days found him on the golf course. His love of golf stemmed from his love of people. His friendships spanned a lifetime and came from all aspects of his life. Whether that connection was made in the schoolyard, office, golf course or The Guard, you became a friend for life. His best friend though was the love of his life, Dorothy. For 53 years of marriage, he loved to remind her that she was the most beautiful woman he ever laid eyes on. There was no Tom without Dottie; together they made Worcester their home raising four doting daughters. Their love of golf, skiing and the beach took them on many family adventures. Golf gave Tom the opportunity to travel to many courses and make new friends. He was an amazing conversationalist and avid reader. When his days on the links ended, he and his faithful companion moved to Portsmouth to be with family. This duo quickly became part of the downtown landscape. Spending beautiful summer days chatting outside coffee shops and bringing joy to everyone they met. When the days turned cold they went south to another place they called home Bear Lakes C.C. They would reunite with friends they had missed and enjoy the sun for another wonderful season.
Survivors include his wife Dorothy (O'Brien) Braley, brother David Braley, his four daughters Tracy and husband Matthew Delaney, Lynne Fedorowich, Jennifer and husband Andrew F. Cotrupi, Jessica and husband Richard J. Bonzagni, and seven grandchildren, Isabella, Emma, Harrison, Grace, Abigale, Lydia, and Iris. Tom was preceded in death by his grandson, Theodore Thomas, sister Karen Cusson and brother Bill Braley.
Calling hours are Friday, January 3, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Athy Memorial Home, 111 Lancaster St., Worcester. The funeral will be held Saturday, January 4, from the funeral home with a Mass at 11 a.m. in St. Peter's Church, 931 Main St., Worcester. Burial in Calvary Cemetery, Portsmouth, N.H. will be private.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Alzheimer's Association, 480 Pleasant St., Watertown, MA 02472 (www.alz.org).
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Thomas Braley
January 5, 2014
Dottie,
Sorry for your loss, Tom was a great guy.
Jean Fairbanks
January 5, 2014
Dottie, sorry for your loss, Tom was a great guy.
Jean Fairbanks
January 4, 2014
Dave and Janet Carey, Homosassa, Florida
Seems like only yesterday when we were all partying and having a great time on Tanglewood Road. Tom will be remembered in our prayers.
John Ruscito
January 4, 2014
To the Braley Family:
I knew Tom professionally through my employment with the Travelers Insurance Co.
My thoughts and prayers are with you. May warm memories sustain and comfort you.
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January 3, 2014
Dear Mrs. Braley and Girls, so sorry to hear of Mr. Braley's passing. I have such fond memories of him at WCC. He was a great man and will be missed. Sorry I cannot attend his wake, thinking of you all at this difficult time. Sincerely, Kim Chartier
Nancy Vargas
January 3, 2014
My Dearest Dottie,
I want to express my warmest condolences to you and your family. I will never forget all the laughter we shared at Duffy's and the beautiful day we spent at the beach when you and Tom joined me and my brother at the Hilton Beach Club. You and Tom always said the most wonderful things to me and made me feel that I had a special little part in your lives. I will miss Tom terribly and only hope that I will someday get to see your lovely face again. May God enfold you and your family in your time of grief.
I love and miss you in Florida.
Trina McAfee Lachance
January 3, 2014
Dear Jen,
With a heavy heart, I extend my deepest sympathy to you and your family. A father's love is forever...thinking of you always.
Much love,
Trina
Maureen DeMarco
January 3, 2014
Dottie,
Please accept my very sincere condolences. He was such a great guy and devoted husband and father.
January 3, 2014
Dear Dottie and Family,
Our heartfelt sympathy is extended to you in the loss of your dear husband and father, Tom. The kindness and caring you both extended to others, while at WCC, will always hold a special place in our memories.
Keeping you in our thoughts and prayers.
Sincerely,
Ray and Sally Trottier
Ethel & Tom Zocco
January 3, 2014
We send our deepest sympathy to the Braley family. Even with all Tom was going through he always had a friendly "Hi" at WCC. He was a great guy and will be missed.
Ray and Coco Lajoie
January 3, 2014
Dottie and Girls,
Ray and I were deeply saddened by the passing of your husband and father. He knew Tom for over 60 years and considered him a dear friend as well as a golfing buddy. Ray's favorite story about Tom, is that he borrowed his"1939 Plymouth" to take you Dottie on your first date as he had no car at that time. The rest of the story is the beautiful history of his success and his lovely family.
January 3, 2014
Sorry for your loss.Tom was a good man. Ralph Hall
Lynne and Michael Perez
January 2, 2014
Dear Jenn, my heart goes out to you and your family at this sad time. Your dad's obituary was beautiful to read and what a wonderful life he had. I am sending a big hug via the Internet to you, Andrew, and the girls. Love Lynne and Michael
Alta Culver
January 2, 2014
Dottie and family, Tom was a great boss. I am so sorry to hear of his passing. I know he will be greatly missed.
Linda Masterson
January 2, 2014
Dear Dottie and your wonderful girls, I was so sorry to learn of Tom's passing. He will be missed by many especially you. But what great memories he has left you with. My thoughts and prayers are with you as I wish I could be.
January 1, 2014
Dear Dottie and Girls, I am so sorry to hear about Toms passing. I miss you Dottie and hope that you will call me. I am at the same address.Love Barbara Bassett Gaudet
January 1, 2014
Dear Dottie and girls, I am so sorry to hear of Tom's passing. I miss you Dottie and hope you will contact me.
I am still at the same address,
Love, Barbara Bassett Gaudet
January 1, 2014
sorry to hear about TOM,our thoughts and prayers are with you. al and joyce kasparson.
Jim & Pat Foard
January 1, 2014
Dottie and family,
Him and I are very sorry to hear of Tom's passing. We realize that the last years have been very hard on him physically. Jim will especially miss ambling with Tom and great conversations.
May all find peace in your love and memories. God bless.
January 1, 2014
Dear Jennifer, Andrew and entire Family. Paul and I were truly sorry to hear of Toms passing. Dottie and Tom were a couple we remembered well from the beautiful Wedding between Andrew and Jennifer. A day we will never forget especially because of the warmth and incredible family love we witnessed. He was a beautiful Man. So very sorry. Love, Paul and MJ Eddy-Smith, (Andys Aunt and Uncle)
January 1, 2014
Dear Dottie and family,
Out thoughts are with all of you at this difficult time. Tom's beautiful obituary told us many things about him that we appreciate knowing as we hold him fast in memory. His perseverance during his long health struggle will remain an inspiration to us for all future reference as will your love and caring for him throughout.
Heartfelt love,
Ann and Tony Cotrupi, Burnt Hills, NY
January 1, 2014
My condolences and love go out to the Braley family. In addition to allowing my brother Andrew marry his daughter Jen (and he did have a say in the matter!) he helped get me a job with his good friend Tom Lavigne at LaVigne Press that changed my career trajectory. With that magical smile and warmth he could have been a politician but chose insurance, I'm pretty sure because the money was better!
Dave Fitzpatrick
January 1, 2014
Dear Dottie
So sorry to read of Tom's passing.
January 1, 2014
My condolences to Dottie and the girls and their families. May you find comfort in memories and family.
Barbara Braley
Dan and Sis Masterson (from Duffys)
January 1, 2014
Dear Dottie and family. We are very sorry to hear about the passing of Tom. May the prayers of those who love you,carry you through this time of sorrow.
robert doyle
January 1, 2014
Tom, I've known you for over sixty years, and you always had a hearty handshake and fine conversation even after you saw this old brawler coming up. God bless you my friend. pop doyle USMC ret.
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