Thomas Given, 75, formerly of Waterbury, Vermont, and more recently of Eden, Vermont, and Melbourne, Florida, passed away peacefully at the William Childs Hospice House in Palm Bay, Florida, on Sunday, March 27, 2016, following a battle with pancreatic cancer. Born in Bristol, Connecticut, on August 31, 1940, he was the son of the late George F. and Emma (DiBiase) Given. On September 1, 1990, Tom married the former Donna Pecor Gibbs in Waterbury Center . Donna predeceased Tom on April 8, 2000.
Tom grew up in Bristol, Connecticut, and while attending high school, he excelled at baseball. Even as professional teams scouted him, Tom chose a different career path, learning to be a custom cabinetmaker. In the late 1960s Tom became an apprentice installer for D&D Tile Co. in Connecticut where he became a valued employee and lead floor mechanic on most jobs. With his experience and desire to form his own flooring company, Tom founded his own business and enjoyed a successful career as an independent flooring contractor who was highly sought after by numerous companies. While living in Connecticut, Tom became an active member and former president of the Harwinton Rod and Gun Club.
Moving to Vermont in 1985 and settling in Waterbury, Tom met Donna Gibbs, the love of his life, and founded a new company, Coast to Coast Flooring, which he operated for several years. A shy man and one of few words, he enjoyed the company of good friends, talking politics and spending time with his loving family. In his leisure time, he enjoyed hunting, fishing, canoeing, motorcycling and playing golf. For the past six years, he has split his time between his summer home in Eden and wintering in Melbourne, Florida.
Tom is loved and mourned by his three daughters, Jodi Green and her husband Greg of Moretown, Stacey Gibbs and her husband Tom Kimball of Ferrisburgh, and Megan Wright and her husband Adam of England; his four sons, Thomas J. Given and his partner Susan Michaud of Randolph Center, Mark J. Given and his wife Diane of Rocky Hill, Connecticut, Vincent G. Given of New Britain, Connecticut, and Garrett Given and his wife Kayla of Shoreham, Vermont; 20 grandchildren; three sisters, Roselyn Ventrella and her husband Tony of Southington, Connecticut, Mary Fontaine of Wolcott, Connecticut, and Karen Gratta and her husband Francis of Southington, Connecticut; a brother, Michael Kowal and his wife Laurie of Southington, Connecticut; as well as nieces, nephews and extended family.
Memorial services will be held from Waterbury Congregational Church on Friday, April 8, 2016, at 2 p.m. Inurnment will follow at Maple Street Cemetery in Waterbury Center. A reception will follow at the Country Club of Vermont. For those who wish, memorial gifts in lieu of flowers would be appreciated to the William Childs Hospice House, 381 Medplex Parkway, Palm Bay, FL 32904. Assisting the family is Perkins-Parker Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Waterbury. To send online condolences, visit www.perkinsparker.com.
