Thomas Tarbox

East Haddam — Thomas Joseph Tarbox of East Haddam died peacefully at Chestelm on March 4, 2021, with his loving wife of 43 years, Maureen Tarbox, and his daughter, Cynthia Schneidau, by his side. He was born in White Plains, N.Y., a son of the late Thomas Landon and Helen Murphy Tarbox and was a proud veteran of the United States Navy.

He served two years in the Navy before attending the U.S. Naval Academy from 1960 until 1963. Later, he received a degree in mathematics from SUNY New Paltz in 1965. He taught middle school mathematics in three New York school districts, including Yorktown Heights, N.Y.

With his love of gardening and after working for several landscapers, he started his own landscaping business in 1978 in Yorktown Heights, N.Y. After his wife’s retirement from 35 of years of teaching, they moved to East Haddam in 2004. It was there that Thomas continued making outdoor spaces more beautiful and volunteered for the East Haddam Conservation Commission.

In addition to his wife, Maureen and daughter Cynthia, he will be missed by his sons, William Michael Tarbox and Jonathan Andrew Tarbox of Independence, Ky.; his grandsons, Jackson Thomas and Wyatt Townsend Schneidau; his son-in-law, Rodger Schneidau; as well as many cousins and friends. He is predeceased by his brother, Harold Elliot Tarbox.

A visitation for Mr. Tarbox will be held between 9 and 10 a.m. Monday, March 8, at the Robinson, Wright & Weymer Funeral Home 34 Main St., in Centerbrook. A funeral Mass will follow at 11 a.m. at St. Bridget of Kildare, 75 Moodus Leesville Road in Moodus. To share a memory or express a condolence to Mr. Tarbox’s family, please visit www. rwwfh.com.