Theodore "T.R." Paulding Jr.

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of T.R. Paulding, beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, son, uncle, and friend to all who knew him. T.R. passed peacefully on Thursday, March 27, 2025 after living with cancer for 18 years. T.R. will be remembered as kind, warm, loving, fun, silly, quick-witted, cheerful, hilariously funny, generous, and the most genuine, good-hearted person you could hope to meet. An eternal optimist until his final days, he was truly one of a kind and a bright light in this world. Born on August 11, 1955 to Mary Rose and Ted Paulding, T.R. grew up in Wethersfield with his siblings Martha, Ray, and Sarah, with whom he shared a close relationship for all his life. He excelled at sports including basketball, football, and tennis, and would recall his game-winning home run in the little league championship as his greatest sports glory. He also enjoyed water sports like swimming, water skiing, and too-fast boating in the Niantic River. Summers were spent in Old Lyme, where he started a children's recreation program. Soon he was known as the pied piper of Old Lyme Shores, as children would line up outside the Paulding cottage to wait for T.R. each day. The friendships he made over a lifetime of summers there remained important to T.R. until his last days. T.R. graduated from Wethersfield High School in 1973, where he starred as Captain Von Trapp in The Sound of Music. He spent the next four years at his cherished University of Notre Dame, where he met his lifelong brothers at Morrissey Manor. While at Notre Dame, he played intramural football, made it to the sweet sixteen in the famous Bookstore Basketball tournament, was named "Mr. Morrissey," joined the glee club, and entertained everyone he met with impressions of Jerry Lewis and his natural talent for playing piano and singing. The spirit of Notre Dame always remained part of his life and was passed along to his family and friends. T.R. then attended UConn Law School where he sometimes went to class and supported himself as a singing waiter at JP's Good Times Parlor in Hartford. At UConn and as a young lawyer he gained another group of lifelong friends. His law career included time as a public defender, an assistant state's attorney, a criminal defense lawyer, and a motor vehicle hearing officer. He saw his career not through a lens of winning or losing; it was his duty and honor to help those who needed it, and he always strove to do the right thing. He will be missed by the entire law community on all sides of the courtroom. T.R. married the love of his life, Michele, at their special place, the Griswold Inn in Essex. T.R. and Michele's love story felt like a true-life fairy tale, and their devotion to each other was legendary among those who knew them. Together they raised four children in Glastonbury in a home filled with laughter, joy, and love. After Michele suffered a stroke in 2015, T.R. lovingly cared for her until her passing in 2023. He considered it his privilege to love her until the end of her life and beyond. In his later years, he revelled in being surrounded by his five grandchildren, attending their special events and games, and nurturing in each of them what made them unique. He loved that he was the only "Dippa" in the world. It would be impossible to recount all of T.R.'s beautiful life in a few short paragraphs, but if you were lucky enough to know him, you don't need the full play-by-play. He was a friend to all he met, and he couldn't leave the house without meeting (and chatting to, at length) someone he knew. His love of music was passed on to his family, and singalongs around the piano were common, especially during the holiday season. We are all jealous of the many amazing concerts he attended while at Notre Dame, and we had the pleasure of attending many more with him throughout the years. He dreamed of opening an Irish pub where he could tell stories and celebrate his Irish heritage. He loved flowers and hated yard work, but did it anyway. He was our personal brunch chef and made perfect golden-brown pancakes. His encouraging and supportive nature made him a natural coach. He helped so many people as a lawyer and as a friend, and did it with a full heart. We will always remember family road trips to Notre Dame and Florida, as well as the many quick getaways he planned, because he couldn't think of anything better than spending time as a family. T.R. is survived by his four children, Daniele Paulding Daveline (Nick), Nichole Paulding Susat (Rick), Adrian Paulding (Lexie), and Aaron Paulding (Allie); and five grandchildren. He is also survived by his siblings, Martha Paulding Kardok, Raymond Paulding (Cathy), and Sarah Paulding, and numerous nephews, nieces, in-laws, his extended OLS family, and friends near and far. He was welcomed into heaven by his wife, Michele; his parents, MR and Ted; and many friends and family who were undoubtedly delighted to reunite. It is not often that a person is as universally loved as T.R., but he earned every bit of it. Calling hours will be held on Thursday, April 10, from 4 to 7PM at the Farley-Sullivan Funeral Home 34 Beaver Road, Wethersfield, CT. A celebration of his life will follow on Friday, April 11, from 11AM to 3PM at the Wethersfield Country Club, 76 Country Club Road, Wethersfield. All who loved T.R. are welcome, and we invite you to wear blue, gold, and green in honor of his love for Notre Dame. Go Irish! To extend condolences, please visit Farleysullivan.com. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Theodore "T.R.", please visit our floral store.