Cockerill III, Thomas G.

Thomas George Cockerill III September 3, 1933 - May 21, 2022, Tom passed away in his home on Saturday May 21 listening to Mozart and having his favorite book read to him, Tom Sawyer. He was predeceased by his Mother Helen, his Father Thomas ll, and his beloved Cousin and best friend Bill Soltis. Tom was raised in Bridgeport where he went through the school system there and was awarded a full four-year scholarship to Yale University where he studied Political Science. After graduating in 1955 he went on to work at the Bridgeport Post as a Reporter and Avco Aviation in their Public Relations Department. Tom was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1957 where he worked for the newspaper at Fort Dix. While there he worked with Frank Capra Jr. to produce a documentary film about

Fort Dix. Upon leaving the service in 1959 he returned to Avco. Eventually Tom went to work for Heublein who had purchased Kentucky Fried Chicken as the Director of Corporate Communications, splitting his time between Hartford and Louisville Kentucky where he became friends with Colonel Sanders and his Wife. He even attended a Kentucky Derby with the Colonel. Tom

was an avid Tennis player, a downhill skier and a golf “hacker” enjoying it for many years. He and his cousin Bill took first place at the CT State Doubles Tournament in 1961. After leaving Heublein Tom started his own Communications Consulting business in Hartford writing speeches, doing annual reports for industrial companies, insurance companies and banks. He retired in 1998. In early 2017 he relocated to The Saybrook at Haddam Assisted Living facility to be closer to his cousins Lori and Dennis, this became his final home. His life-long love of words continued, and his favorite activities were word games, crossword puzzles and Trivial Pursuit, all of which he excelled at. Tom was a brilliant, yet humble person that lived his life quietly, following the NY Yankees, eating chocolate and drinking red wine. Thank you to everyone that supported his ageing in place and especially the Guilford VNA Hospice Nurses that kept him comfortable and his CNA angel Karlette. A graveside funeral service will take place on Thursday, May 26, 2022, at 2 p.m. meeting directly at St. John's Cemetery, 2610 Nichols Avenue Stratford. The Adzima Funeral Home- Stratford has been entrusted with the funeral arrangements. For more information or to share an online condolence please visit www.adzimafuneralhome.com