Tom went to be with his Lord and Savior on February 1, 2024. Tom was born to the late George D. Morton, Sr. and Florence DeSalle Morton of Wethersfield, Connecticut, on August 19, 1942 at Hartford Hospital, Hartford, Connecticut at 5:00 am.  He lived on Marsh Street until 1948 and then moved to Groton, Connecticut, where he and his late brother, George D. Morton, Jr., fished in the Thames River and learned how to swim at Eastern Long Point Beach. Tom moved to Windsor, Connecticut in 1952, when he met his best friend, Bill Grace.  Tom and Bill both attended John Fitch Elementary School and played on Bill's dad's baseball team.  They rode down Stony Hill without any brakes!  Bill's mom, Ethel Grace, was Tom's second mom.  As a boy, Tom enjoyed shad fishing and duck hunting in the Farmington and Connecticut River area.  Tom took part in the Town of Windsor's 350th birthday celebration.  In 1958 at the Windsor High School Auditorium, along with others, Tom was in a skit as an Indian welcoming the new settlers to Windsor.  His first job was paper boy for the Hartford Courant.  On Saturday mornings, he would meet up with the Hood milk man and the Bond Bread man.  Tom would swap a newspaper for a quart of chocolate milk and Bond Bread doughnuts and talk about which team won, the Yankees or the Red Sox, and who hit the home runs, Ted Williams or Mickey Mantle.  Starting in Windsor High School, Class of 1961, Tom played on the soccer team for Coach Ed Stuart.  His part time job after school was at Sherrow's Textiles and Kiva Dachjhes.

In 1960, Tom left high school to marry Susan Webber.  They raised four children: Thomas E. Jr "Chip", now deceased; Jonathan M. and wife Heather of Glastonbury, Connecticut; Peter B., and wife Maria of Enfield, Connecticut; and a daughter, Barbara L., and husband Dennis Knorr of California.  Tom was blessed to enjoy a large family.  His nine grandchildren are Christopher Keller (wife Kayla), Diana Stender (husband Douglas), Erin Keller, George and Jeremiah Chamberlin, Ben Chamberlin and Alyssa Chamberlin Wojcik; and two great grandsons, Gabriel and Harrison. His extended family also includes two stepsons, George Chamberlin and his partner, Silvana of Rocky Hill; Bruce Chamberlin Jr, of Old Saybrook, respectively in Connecticut; and a loving cousin, Joyce Kelleher of New Jersey.

In 1961, working the night shift, Tom went to work at the Hartford Courant press room while simultaneously attending Hartford High School to obtain his diploma.  Tom also drove a delivery truck for New England Upholstery and Supply at this time. While working at the Hartford Courant, he learned how to play golf from Johnny Miller, Melvin Backus, Roger Doiron, and George McKenna.  They all donated one golf club to get Tom started, which he still has today.  He played golf at Keeney Park, Hartford, and at some of the finest golf courses around the country, located in Florida, California, Massachusetts, as well as at the Wethersfield Country Club.

Tom joined the Republican Town Committee, was the Town District Coordinator, and was elected to the position of Constable.  He was appointed to be a Justice of the Peace.  He joined the Washington Lodge #70, A.F. & A.M. He became the Master of his lodge in 1976.  Tom continued to be a Mason for over 50 years.  As a Mason, he enjoyed cooking pancakes on the green in Windsor for Shad Derby Day and sold Christmas trees during the holiday season.  Tom was a member of the Bicentennial's Decorative Coin Committee for the Town of Windsor.  He worked with Maria Tudan and Campbell Wilson on this project.

In the late 1960's, Tom started hunting with his best friend, Brian Fitzsimons of Windsor, Connecticut. They were joined by Brian's brother, Dodie and their father Luther Fitzsimons, also of Windsor.  Brian's father, Luther owned a cabin in West Halifax, Vermont where they spent the most of their time hunting.

Tom left the Hartford Courant and started working at the W.G. Glenney Lumber Company of Manchester, Connecticut.  He reported directly to Edward Glenney.  Tom felt that everyone should have an Ed Glenney in their life.  Tom started as lumber truck driver and worked his way up to Store Manager in Glastonbury.  The only time Tom spent in college was a 6-week course at the UMASS Forest School, at Amherst, Massachusetts.  This is where he learned the basics of his profession.  Later in his life, Tom regretted that he didn't graduate from college.

Tom enjoyed working for 18 years with the W.G. Glenney Company.  He then went to work as a Store Manager for Ruby Cash & Carry in Willington, Connecticut.  Tom then took the opportunity to become a Lumber Buyer and Estimator for Charter Lumber.  Tom's career in the lumber industry prepared him to take on a new position with the Home Depot team in 1991.  He helped open the Manchester, Connecticut location, then he transferred to Albany, New York to open that location.  After successfully assisting with two store openings, he then went on to open a third in New London, Connecticut.  Tom oversaw Contractor Sales and Credit in all three locations.

In 1997, Tom married his lifelong friend and soulmate, Joanne M. Chamberlin of Windsor, Connecticut.  They traveled to Austria, Ireland, England, Denmark, Italy, Russia, Hawaii, and a cross-country car trip to 49 out of the 50 states.  Tom and Joanne owned a pop-up camper, named Flipper, that they took to Florida during the winter for over 15 years.  Tom leaves behind three brothers-in-law: George and Tina Manson of Rockland, Maine; Dave and Jeanine Manson of Suffield, Connecticut; and Steve and Gwen Manson of Worcester, New York.  Tom also leaves a nephew, Derrick Manson of Worcester, New York.

Tom and Joanne moved to 171 Main Street, Worcester, New York, the Whitcomb Family Homestead.  They opened a bed and breakfast, entertaining and providing a comfortable and inviting destination for people to visit upstate New York.  Tom started up a handyman business doing everything from changing light bulbs and accepting three cookies as payment to building gates, painting blue houses, building two step stairs and backyard bridges, and a generous amount of lawn mowing accounts.  He became a member of the Crumhorn Rod and Gun Club where he enjoyed trap shooting and scoring.  Tom was an active member of First Presbyterian Church and became an elder.  With the help of many others, they conducted the Strawberry and Apple Festivals, as well as provided many roast pork and beef dinners.  Tom would like to give a special thank you to Carole, Margery, and David for their unselfish help and loving care.  In 2010, Tom became a member of the Worcester Hose Company.  He was a rider in Fire Truck #67, participating in parades, drills, and training classes.  He was proud to be their Steward for over 10 years.  Special thanks to Dave, Jim, Ed, Oak, Jeff, and the rest of the members for the very memorable times they shared.

For all these special times and moments, Tom gives all thanks to God for all the help of many angels that watched over him from the beginning to the end.

Thanks be to God and Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior.

Calling hours will be held on Thursday, February 8, 2024 from 5:00 to 7:00 pm at the Heller & Skinner Funeral Home, 155 Main Street in Worcester.

A funeral service will be held 10:00 am, Friday, February 9, 2024 at the Worcester Hose Company, 36 Church Street, Worcester with the Rev. Jane Pykus officiating.

Burial will take place at the Maple Grove Cemetery in Worcester at a later date.

Memorial contributions may be made in loving memory of Tom to the charity of one's choice.