Thomas Arthur Dembik

Thomas Arthur Dembik, 82, of Farmington, passed away peacefully on Saturday night, May 16, 2026, surrounded by his beloved wife Mary Lou and their family, after living with dementia in his final years at LiveWell in Plantsville, CT. Tom was born on June 28, 1943, and raised in Cheektowaga, NY, a suburb of Buffalo. He graduated from Maryvale High School in 1960 and went on to the University at Buffalo, where he earned a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering in 1964. He served as president of Pi Lambda Tau, his engineering fraternity. At 19, Tom landed a job with the Wrigley Chewing Gum Company, driving around Buffalo in a company car to check displays and call on customers. After graduating, he began his engineering career in the Research and Development Department at Niagara Machine and Tool in Buffalo. In 1967, he joined Burgmaster, where he became the Northeast Sales Manager. That role led to a professional association with the Robert E. Morris Company, which he eventually joined, moving his family to Farmington, Connecticut, in 1971. After a few years in Avon, they returned to Farmington in 1980. Tom flourished at the Robert E. Morris Company and built an international reputation in the precision machine tool industry, traveling the world to collaborate with manufacturers and particularly enjoying his trips to Germany and Japan. He often brought Mary Lou along on business trips, and together they enjoyed countless adventures around the world. A maverick by nature, Tom did things his own way, which earned him the respect of customers and competitors alike. Over the course of his career, he sold thousands of machines and made many lifelong friends. Beyond being named Salesman of the Year on numerous occasions, he was honored as a member of the Okuma Century Club and recognized as a pioneering Machine Tool Distributor by the American Precision Museum, cementing his standing as one of the field’s most respected figures. His customers came to rely on his advice and held him in high regard. Tom spent the last years of his career enthusiastically mentoring new salesmen. He retired in 2016 after an incredible 45-year career with Morris. In 2013, Tom helped establish Journey Found, a nonprofit dedicated to providing caregivers for adults with developmental disabilities. He served as the first chair of the board and later as treasurer. He also helped raise funds for the American Precision Museum in Windsor, Vermont, which documents the origins of the precision machine tool industry. Tom’s lifelong passion for golf started when he caddied at the Buffalo and Niagara Falls Country Clubs, where he would carry two bags at a time for double pay. He went on to become a standout on the UB golf team, collecting many trophies during his college days. Tom was a longtime member of the Golf Club of Avon, where he especially looked forward to “cutting a rug” at the annual New Year’s Eve celebration. He loved Pebble Beach and was lucky enough to play it a handful of times. He also enjoyed attending PGA events and watching them on TV, often remarking, “It’s a putting contest,” because everyone hit the ball so well. Closer to home, he found peace outdoors by doing yard work, splitting wood, going to the beach in the summer, and skiing in the winter. Tom met the love of his life, Mary Lou (Cassidy), at UB in 1963. They married in 1965 and settled in Williamsville, NY, before moving to Farmington. Together, Tom and Mary Lou raised three children: Tommy, Mary-Kate, and JP. Tom was predeceased by his parents, Lillian (Rores) Dembik (1923–2007) and Arthur Joseph Dembik (1919–2009). He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Mary Lou Dembik; his three children, Thomas Michael Dembik, Mary-Katherine (James) Cieri, and John Paul Dembik; his three grandchildren, Nathan Thomas Dembik, Jameson Daniel Cieri, and Michela Belle Cieri; his sister, Joyce (Don) Glessner; his niece and nephew, Kathy (Jeff) Jones and David (Kim) Glessner, along with their children; and a large extended family. The family extends heartfelt thanks to the staff at LiveWell in Plantsville for the compassionate care and kindness they gave Tom during his final years. Services will be held on June 12 at Molloy Funeral Home in West Hartford. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Journey Found, Inc.

Thomas Arthur Dembik

June 28, 1943 - May 16, 2026