Thomas Lavorgna Sr

Waterbury, CT Thomas M. Lavorgna, 63, of Waterbury, passed away suddenly on Wednesday, August 23, 2023, in Exeter, NH, where he and his wife currently resided.

Tom was born on March 26, 1960, in Waterbury, the loving son of the late Marcellino and Evelyn Lavorgna. He attended St. Peter and Paul Primary School in Waterbury’s East End and graduated from Holy Cross High School, where he was an All-American long-distance track athlete. Tom was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hiking, fishing, boating, kayaking, bicycling, and golfing. He also had a deep appreciation for the martial arts, specifically Kun-Tao, which he practiced for years and had earned his brown belt.

Tom was happiest spending time with his beloved family. He was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather, and he lived with the conviction “family first,” placing the well-being of his family above everything else. He taught his children the importance of being a good citizen and caring for others through his own actions giving back to the community and helping those in need. Tom spent so many years coaching youth basketball at St. Francis Xavier School as well as soccer and basketball for the East Mountain Athletic Association. He ensured that each child on every team he coached had the opportunity to play in each game. Tom believed in fairness and equity and taught young people to value themselves. He was a youth mentor for Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, a lead instructor for the Christian Youth Organization, and served in a leadership position for the local chapter of the UAW. Tom believed in the underdog and loved a success story. He was always rooting for you.

A toolmaker for 44 years, Tom worked at three of Waterbury’s tool and die manufacturers: Century Brass, Waltec, and Cly-Del. His proudest professional accomplishment was the student internship/apprenticeship program he ran for Cly-Del Manufacturing, where he worked for 26 years before retiring in 2021. Tom trained and guided young students, again encouraging them to discover their talents and abilities, through their successful completion of the toolmaker certification program.

Always a very private man, he nevertheless loved talking to people and struck up conversations with strangers everywhere he went. He loved telling stories and had the ability to captivate any audience. He laughed, he lived, and he loved with a great sense of humor and a sparkle in his eye. Tom’s presence was a comfort to all. His personality was genuine and gargantuan – he lit up any room he walked into – and endeared him to all who had the privilege of knowing him.

He is survived by his wife of 33 years, Maryanne Lavorgna; by his daughter Amanda Lavorgna Katz; by his three sons, Thomas Lavorgna, Nicholas Lavorgna, and Christopher Lavorgna and his wife Mariama Lavorgna; by two grandchildren, Quentin and Kalena Lavorgna; by his four siblings, Mark Lavorgna, Kathleen Lavorgna, Steven Lavorgna, and Elizabeth Lavorgna; and by many cousins, nieces, and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, and his brother Gregory Lavorgna.

Family and friends will gather to honor and celebrate Tom’s Life on Thursday, August 31, 2023 from 4:00 to 7:00pm at the Buckmiller Thurston Mengacci Funeral Home, 82 Fairview Avenue, Naugatuck. In lieu of flowers and to honor Tom’s memory, donations are requested to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at www.stjude.org or to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation at www.t2t.org.