Thomas C. Stakem

Thomas C. Stakem, 91, of West Hartford, the husband of Margaret McNamee Stakem, died Monday June 8, 2009 at his home. Born in Cumberland, Maryland, the son of the late Thomas C. Sr. and Alice McPartland Stakem, he was a graduate of LaSalle High School in Cumberland and Loyola College, Class of 1941 in Baltimore, MD, and had lived in West Harford since 1964. Tom and Margaret were married June 17, 1944, in Cumberland, MD. Tom served proudly in the US Army, Quartermaster Corps, during WW II as a Captain. He was an outstanding business equipment salesman and sales executive for NCR from 1946 until retiring in 1981, and then a client service representative for CT Online Computer Center in Avon until retiring again at the age of 77 in 1994. He was an active and devoted member of St. Timothy Parish in West Hartford where he served as a Lector, Eucharistic Minister, founder and champion of the Eucharistic Holy Hour, member of the Pastoral Care Team and Religious Educator for many years. Tom truly lived the Beatitudes as he welcomed strangers, comforted the sic, and brought God's peace to all. Tom enjoyed swimming and golfing, but most of all, the essence of his life was his wife Margaret, his family, friends and his faith. Beside his wife, he is survived by his four children: Thomas C. Stakem, Jr. and his wife Elizabeth of Reading, MA, Ronald E. Stakem and his wife Helen of Oklahoma City, OK, Gregory M. Stakem of East Hartford, and Mary Lynn Kelly and her husband Timothy of West Hartford. A fourth son, Dennis J. Stakem predeceased him. Tom is also survived by his grandchildren: Todd Stakem and his wife Sue, Kerry Stakem and Mark Stakem; Christopher Stakem, Timothy Stakem and his wife Kate; Kristen Kelly and John Kelly; and by his great grandchildren Sawyer, Charlotte and Thomas Gray Stakem. Tom was one of eight children and is also survived by his brother and sister-in-law Robert and Cecelia Stakem of Cumberland, MD, and many nieces and nephews. Special thanks are extended to Dr. Rolf Knoll and the entire staff of St. Francis Hospital, Mount Sinai Rehabilitation Hospital and St. Mary Home Rehabilitation Services for their excellent care. Family and friends are invited to join Tom's family at the celebration of his Mass of Christian Burial on Saturday June 13th at 10 a.m. in the Church of St. Timothy 1116 No. Main St. West Hartford, followed by burial in Mt. St. Benedict Cemetery, Bloomfield. Calling hours are Friday June 12th from 4-7 p.m. at the Molloy Funeral Home 906 Farmington Ave. West Hartford, CT. Donations in his memory may be made to the Church of St. Timothy. Online remembrances may be made at www.molloyfuneralhome.com

Thomas C. Stakem

October 1, 1917 - June 8, 2009