Thomas John Nigrelli
Farmington

Thomas John Nigrelli of Farmington, CT died at UCONN Medical Center, after a courageous battle with cancer on September 30, 2015. He was 81 years old.

He was born in Lawrence, MA, however moved with his family at an early age to Litchfield, CT and resided there most of his early years, attending Litchfield Grammar School and graduated from Litchfield High School. He was an All Star Aggressive Basketball player for the Litchfield Cowboys and received many awards for his athletic ability.

After graduation he enlisted in the United States Air Force on September 23, 1953 and was trained as an Aircraft Mechanic, serving two years of service overseas in French Morocco, North Africa. His last assignment was at Otis Air Force Base in Cape Cod, MA where he was honorably discharged on September 23, 1957.

He then returned to Litchfield and worked at Sikorsky Aircraft for a few years and then for Pratt and Whitney Aircraft as a Reciprocating Engine Specialist and retired as a Department Supervisor in 1992.

He is survived by his wife, Sharon Nigrelli, residing in Farmington, CT, three children from a previous marriage, Suzanne Nigrelli and partner, Michael Hamm, and Leslie Nigrelli and partner, Frank Bozak, all from Litchfield County, and a son, Thomas Nigrelli and his wife Laurie of Katy, TX. Also surviving him are his two brothers; Michael Negrelli and his wife Maureen, from Westchester, and Alphonse Nigrelli from New Milford. Tom’s wife’s son, Christopher Shute and his wife, Susan from Cape Cod also survive him beside five grandchildren, nephews, nieces, cousins and great nephews and nieces. Also surviving is Tom’s best friend, George Winter and his wife Lillian, who has known him and his family since service in the Air Force with him 62 years ago.

Memorial donations may be made to Yankee Golden Retriever Rescue, P.O. Box 808, Hudson, Massachusetts 01749-0808, http://www.ygrr.org/donate/.

A memorial service will be held on Monday, October 5, 2015 at 11:00am at St. Anthony of Padua Church, 49 South Street, Litchfield, CT 06759.

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