Thomas O. Gracie, 63, of Waitsfield, beloved husband of Cynthia Gracie, passed away peacefully on June 6, 2016, in the comfort of his home after a long illness. Tom was born the eldest of four sons on August 2, 1952, in Waterbury, Connecticut, to the late Donald and Ellen Gracie of Pequabuck, Connecticut.
Tom graduated from Terryville High School in Connecticut in 1970 and joined the U.S. Air Force where he worked as an aircraft safety specialist at McChord Air Force Base in Tacoma, Washington. He was a professional picture framer at art galleries in Connecticut and Vermont and had many private clients. Tom worked in The Valley as a baker, property manager and for many years, he worked as a personal assistant to a Warren couple. Later he worked at Shaw’s and Easy Street Cafe.
Tom and his wife moved from Bristol, Connecticut, to Warren, Vermont, in 1988. They were married in 1983 and decided that Vermont felt more like home more than anyplace else. Tom loved the beauty of Vermont and he was always grateful to be living here in the Mad River Valley.
Tom was a gifted sculptor of metal, stone and found objects and he was a painter of pastels. In his leisure time he also collected antique radios, vintage alarm clocks, Zippo lighters and antique furniture, which he beautifully restored. Tom loved all styles of music, but his biggest love was jazz. He was the quintessential movie buff and loved to watch old film noir movies. Tom was a gentle, kind, affectionate and loving husband and a generous man. He enjoyed life, while taking on life's challenges without complaint. Most of all, Tom loved to laugh and to make people laugh. He will be dearly missed by his wife, friends and family.
Tom leaves his wife of 34 years, Cynthia (Folcik) Gracie of Waitsfield; his brothers, Scott Gracie and Wayne Gracie, both of Connecticut; and he was predeceased by his youngest brother, Jeffrey Gracie, who died one month ago. He was predeceased by his parents. Tom is also survived by sisters-in-law, Irene Salvatore and her husband Joe, Kathleen Parulski and her husband Bob, Carolyn Robbin and PaulaJo Folcik Hepler, all of Connecticut, and many nieces and nephews.
Thank you to Dr. Francis Cook and his staff and to Nate and the staff at Kinney Drugs, for their compassionate and prompt help and service. Heartfelt thanks go to the Central Vermont Hospice nurses and aides, Sharon, David, Mary and Sarah, who provided Tom with kind and professional care for nine months.
A private celebration of Tom's life will take place at a future date.
