Thomas A. Brien

FORT COLLINS, CO. - Thomas A. Brien was born in Pawtucket, Rhode Island on December 9, 1922 to Thomas Brien and Estelle (Aylward) Brien. He lived in Pawtucket and sang in the boys' choir at the Smithfield Avenue Congregational Church. The family moved to Cumberland and he graduated in 1941 from Cumberland High School where he played baseball and basketball.
After graduation, he joined the US Navy and flew TBF torpedo bombers in the Pacific aboard the USS Chenango. He entertained his family for the rest of his life with his Navy stories.
After his discharge at the end of World War II, he met Helen Roberts. They were married on August 16, 1947. They were married for 54 years until her death in 2001. He attended Edgewood Junior College in Barrington and earned an Associate's degree in business administration. He worked at Tarpy's wholesale meat company in Pawtucket for his entire career. They traveled to Europe, cruised the Caribbean, and traveled across the US. After retiring in 1982 they lived in Florida, Georgia, California, and settled in Fort Collins, Colorado.
He was preceded in death by his wife Helen, his parents, his sister Lillian Smith, and his brother Donald Brien. He is survived by his daughter Beverly Manning and her husband Jim of Windsor, Colorado, and his son Thomas Brien and his wife Becky of San Diego. He leaves three grandchildren and three great grandchildren.
A family service will take place at a later date at the Rhode Island Veterans' Cemetery.
Donations may be made to Pathways Hospice, 305 Carpenter Road, Fort Collins, CO 80525.