Thomas Charles Deary Jr.

God and Tom Deary, in close collaboration at his home in Putnam, decided early in the afternoon on Saturday that Tom was being called home to heaven.

Tom, a beloved husband, father, grand-father, and great grand-father, passed away at home with his family by his side, supporting his safe and comfortable passage into heaven.

"Grampa" as he was commonly referred to by his many grand and great grand-kids, considered service to others, along with humility and respect, to be necessary components of a good and decent person.

Tom was born in 1925 in Worcester, MA to Thomas and Elizabeth (Kelly) Deary. He was raised in Dudley, MA, attending school at St. Louis and Bartlett. Tom proudly served his country in WWII in the United States Navy, aboard the Normandy 25, from where he was honorably discharged in April of 1946. Tom joined the family business- Deary Bros Dairy Co.

Following his lifelong philosophy of "I would never ask anyone to do something I am not willing to do myself" and "You'll get out of it what you put into it" Tom established himself as a hard-working, respected businessman, who with his family built, operated and managed a number of successful businesses, including Deary Bros Milk Inc, Deary Bros Restaurants and Sunnyside Farms Convenience Stores.

He served as Chairman of Putnam's Board of Finance for many years. Tom also served as Honorary Chairman of the Deary Memorial Road Race for all of its 18 years.

Tom was pre-deceased by his wife Teddy (Giroux) Deary, his son Tom and daughter Cathy. He was also predeceased by his siblings, Helen, Robert, Bernice and his half sister, Edna. Tom is survived by his sister, Elizabeth O'Conner of Adams, MA. He is also survived by his eleven children and their spouses: Patty and Roger Breault of E. Killingly; Dennis and Carol Deary of Putnam; Michael and Laurie Deary of E. Longmeadow, MA; Nancy Elizabeth and Chas Anderson of Danielson; Ann and Robert Tetreault of Brooklyn; Peter and Kim Lane-Deary of Pomfret; Mary and Howard Haggett of Plainfield; John and Christie Deary of Pomfret Center; Allen and Risha Deary of Carlisle MA; Robin Deary-Fillmore and Jerre Fillmore of Danielson and Gene Michael and Dawn Deary of Brooklyn, as well as 51 grand and great-grandchildren.

Relatives and friends are invited to visit with Tom's family from 3:00 to 8:00 pm, on Tuesday, September 25, 2007 in the Gilman Funeral Home, 104 Church Street, Putnam, CT. A gathering will begin at 9:00am Wednesday September 26, 2007 in the funeral home followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 am in St. Mary's Church of the Visitation, 218 Providence Street, Putnam. Burial with Military Honors will follow in St. Mary's Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Deary Memorial Road Race or Hospice of Northeast Connecticut both in care of Day Kimball Hospital, PO box 632, Putnam, CT 06260.