Obituary for Thomas A. "Tom" Deffenbaugh
Thomas Andrew “Tom” Deffenbaugh played his last gig on March 7, 2024 at home after a Formula One style race against that nasty beast, cancer. Ever positive, always hopeful, Tom’s optimism belied how hard his fight would be. He was born in Ypsilanti, Michigan, on September 23, 1966, with twin brother Tim. Tom grew up in Dexter, MI and moved to Connecticut in 1990. He was employed as an editor for Alden Event Productions in Bristol, CT before founding and building Summit Music School in Manchester, which he put his heart and soul into for the last twenty-five years.
Tom was a member of EDC in Manchester and CAST Children’s Theater. He was a talented musician; he enjoyed singing, playing the base, and teaching music lessons. Tom was a renaissance man and enjoyed history, He was a man of many talents other than music, including carpentry, race car driving, and restoring his pride and joy, his 57’ Chevy truck. He loved to travel especially to Naples, FL and to the Cape where he would take his doodles, Boom and Levon out on the flats in Brewster and in Naples. Tom enjoyed his happy hour martinis with his beloved partner Alicia Roncari.
Tom is survived by his best friend and partner of thirteen years, Alicia Roncari and his step-son, Zac Johnson both of Windsor Locks, his brother, Harry Deffenbaugh and his wife Jackie; his sisters, Amy Vetter of Wellington, FL and Cathy Novak and Larry Sheets of Vero Beach, FL; and several nieces and nephews. He also leaves to mourn his passing his second family, Madeleine Roncari, Deborah and Paul Murdock, Dale Meck, Robin Roncari, and Leslie and Joe Marconi; and his partner in crime, Daniel Coburn, and his friend Jody Hagenow. Tom was predeceased by his parents Harry and Juanita (Laugherty) Deffenbaugh and siblings, Matthew Deffenbaugh, Scarlet Buzugly, and Tim Deffenbaugh.
Relatives and friends may join the family for calling hours on Sunday, March 10, from 2 to 4 p.m. at Windsor Locks Funeral Home, 441 Spring Street, Windsor Locks, CT. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, March 11, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Mary Church, (Please Meet at Church) 42 Spring Street, Windsor Locks, CT. Burial will be private. The family expresses their heartfelt gratitude to his guardian angel Dr. Charles Rutter for the compassionate care he gave Tom over the last five years. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Connecticut Humane Society, 701 Russell Rd., Newington, CT 06111 or CPTV at www.pbs.org.
Tom was a member of EDC in Manchester and CAST Children’s Theater. He was a talented musician; he enjoyed singing, playing the base, and teaching music lessons. Tom was a renaissance man and enjoyed history, He was a man of many talents other than music, including carpentry, race car driving, and restoring his pride and joy, his 57’ Chevy truck. He loved to travel especially to Naples, FL and to the Cape where he would take his doodles, Boom and Levon out on the flats in Brewster and in Naples. Tom enjoyed his happy hour martinis with his beloved partner Alicia Roncari.
Tom is survived by his best friend and partner of thirteen years, Alicia Roncari and his step-son, Zac Johnson both of Windsor Locks, his brother, Harry Deffenbaugh and his wife Jackie; his sisters, Amy Vetter of Wellington, FL and Cathy Novak and Larry Sheets of Vero Beach, FL; and several nieces and nephews. He also leaves to mourn his passing his second family, Madeleine Roncari, Deborah and Paul Murdock, Dale Meck, Robin Roncari, and Leslie and Joe Marconi; and his partner in crime, Daniel Coburn, and his friend Jody Hagenow. Tom was predeceased by his parents Harry and Juanita (Laugherty) Deffenbaugh and siblings, Matthew Deffenbaugh, Scarlet Buzugly, and Tim Deffenbaugh.
Relatives and friends may join the family for calling hours on Sunday, March 10, from 2 to 4 p.m. at Windsor Locks Funeral Home, 441 Spring Street, Windsor Locks, CT. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, March 11, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Mary Church, (Please Meet at Church) 42 Spring Street, Windsor Locks, CT. Burial will be private. The family expresses their heartfelt gratitude to his guardian angel Dr. Charles Rutter for the compassionate care he gave Tom over the last five years. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Connecticut Humane Society, 701 Russell Rd., Newington, CT 06111 or CPTV at www.pbs.org.