Thomas A. Brangel
1950 - 2010
Thomas Anthony Brangel, age 60, died Wednesday (March 31, 2010) after a brief illness, at home with his sister Barbara by his side.
Tom was born February 18, 1950 in Waterbury, CT to Tom and Tina Brangel. The family moved to Cromwell, CT in 1955. Tom graduated from Cromwell High in 1968. While still in high school, Tom played piano in a jazz trio and in a rock band with high school friends. The jazz trio played at the Gelston House in East Haddam for several summers.
Tom attended Central Connecticut State, and inspired by one of his professors, became interested in anthropology. He transferred to George Washington University in Washington D.C., and graduated with honors in 1971. Tom attended the University of New Mexico the prior summer to participate in archeological digs. After graduation he decided to see the world. He worked for Pan American Airlines, traveling to Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. He brought back gifts for family, along with hilarious (and sometimes scary!) stories of his adventures. He learned to cook in an airplane galley, often cooking breakfast to order for first class passengers.
His time at Pan Am ended in 1974, and Tom moved to California in search of new adventures. He joined Cromwell friends in Livermore, worked at a restaurant and explored Northern California. He fell in love with Lake Tahoe and moved there the following year. He worked at the Sahara Tahoe, saw Elvis's last performance there, and enjoyed skiing and hiking with friends. He moved to Southern California in 1979 to be with his sister while recovering from a broken leg. Unable to stand, he took a telephone sales position. His engaging personality and ability to connect with people helped make him successful while his leg healed. Once on his feet, he obtained a real estate license and worked at several resorts, including the Tennis Club in Palm Springs, Wavecrest Resort in Del Mar, and Tamarack Beach Resort in Carlsbad. He also partnered with friends on small business ventures. He moved to Irvine in 2003 to help his sister care for their mother before she died.
Tom always had a deep love for family and enjoyed close relationships with his parents and sister as well as with his extended family. Some of our happiest times were spent around the dinner table, often with Tom telling stories that made us laugh so hard we cried. Tom is survived by his sister Barbara Allan and her husband Rick, nephew Jason Allan, wife Heather, and their children Carter and Brooke, of Irvine, CA; Uncle Val and Aunt Eleanor Mancuso of Waterbury, CT, Aunt Rosemary Tirendi of Wolcott, CT, Aunt Ann D'Ambrisi of Woodbury, CT, Aunt Lee Cronan of Wolcott, CT, several cousins, their spouses, children and grandchildren. We will all miss him forever. A celebration of Tom's life will be held in Connecticut with the family in May.
Hartford Courant April 7, 2010
Tribute by John Swingen