Thomas William Lilburn

Thomas William Lilburn, beloved husband of Verna Lilburn of forty-nine years, suddenly left us on January 15, 2023. He was the devoted father of Anne Catherine Lilburn and John Joseph ( Jack) Lilburn and the adoring grandfather of William Lilburn DeMaa, Claire Lilburn DeMaa, and Emma Lilburn Purroy. Tom was the father-in-law of Robert DeMaa and Noelia Purroy Zuriguel.

Tom was born in the Bronx, New York on December 31st, 1935. After graduating high school, he served in the Air Force in Japan and Nebraska. Using the GI bill, Tom graduated from Fairleigh Dickinson University with a Business Degree, which set him out into a long and fruitful career. He later earned a master’s degree from the University of New Haven, where he also served as an adjunct professor in the Business School.

Tom acted as Sales Manager in the Connecticut and Western Massachusetts Regional office of Rolm New England, an Interconnect Telephone Company, and numerous other executive sales positions where he achieved distinguished success.

Tom had a wonderful sense of humor and a keen intellect. He was an avid reader, a student of history and a connoisseur of jazz music. He loved growing flowers and spent many spring and summer days in the garden, often with a beloved dog by his side. He rarely encountered a dog who didn’t love him at first sight. Later in his life, Tom enjoyed attending guest lectures at Yale University and holding court with his friends at Willoughby’s Coffee Shop in Madison.

Tom went out of his way to support those around him, and his life was defined not only by his own accomplishments, but also by those he helped others achieve. He taught those around him to approach all things with a sense of innate curiosity, and that character is defined by the choices that we make every day, whether in victory or defeat. He felt very strongly that we must always strive to be something better.

Most of all, Tom was a wonderful husband, father, and grandfather who will be sorely missed by all who knew and loved him. He will live in our hearts forever.

A Memorial Mass will be held on January 28th, 2023, at 10:00 AM DIRECTLY in Christ Episcopal Church, 11 Park St., Guilford, CT 06437.