Obituary of Thomas P. Lyddy

Decorated Athlete Thomas Peter Lyddy, age 57, a longtime resident of Newtown, died peacefully at home with his family by his side on Monday, September 4, 2006. Thomas was the son of the late Walter E. and Catherine M. (Jacoby) Lyddy and was the beloved husband of Sally Farrell Lyddy for 34 years. Thomas was self employed and started Homestead Inspections, a family operated business out of Newtown. He was a real estate broker for over 30 years and was a member of the Connecticut Board of Realtors. He was a devout Catholic and enjoyed teaching religious education at the St. Rose of Lima Parish in Newtown and was a longtime member of the Gaelic American Club of Fairfield. Thomas found peace and tranquility with his family and friends at Fairfield Beach where he and his family have spent the last 25 summers. Thomas was a decorated athlete and received many accolades and awards over the course of his lifetime. As a child, Tommy was very active with the North End Little League as well as the Boys Club in Bridgeport. He played in the Pony League World Series in Pennsylvania and competed in the Biddy Basketball World Tournament in Chicago and Lakewood, New Jersey. He later attended Fairfield Prep where he played baseball, basketball and football. While at Fairfield Prep, Thomas received a number of awards and was named to the All State and Catholic All American Teams for Football. He was actively recruited to play football and baseball by a number of universities around the country. He decided to play football for the University of Maryland; however, was severely injured early in the season. He was no longer able to pursue his dream of playing professional football. He then attended Fairfield University where he played baseball and was actively scouted by professional baseball organizations. He graduated from Fairfield University in 1972. His most recent involvement with Bridgeport athletics was with his membership in the Old Timers Association. Thomas enjoyed a wonderful life with his large family and his many friends. He will be sadly missed as he was a great husband, brother, father, grandfather, friend, uncle, cousin and mentor. In addition to his wife, Thomas is survived by his children, Ryan Lyddy and his wife, Amy of Newtown, Kara DeFilippo and her husband, Robert of Naugatuck, Katie Barry and her husband, Christopher of Naugatuck and Christopher and Kyle Lyddy, both of Newtown, four grandchildren, Sophia and Ava DeFilippo, Molly Lyddy and Thomas Barry. He also leaves behind brothers and sisters, Maureen Mulligan and her husband, James of Trumbull, James Lyddy and his wife, Denise of Rochester, Minnesota, Kathleen Sullivan and her husband, Eugene of Stratford and Peter Lyddy and his friend, Rick Messina of Sarasota, Florida. Thomas was also the loving uncle of 36 nieces and nephews. Thomas family would like to extend their heartfelt appreciation to the Praxair Cancer Center at Danbury Hospital, Danbury Regional Hospice Association, Rev. Larry Carroll and Rev. Robert Weiss and the St. Rose Parish. Funeral Information Relatives and friends are invited to meet DIRECTLY on Saturday, September 9, 2006 at 9:30a.m. in St. Rose of Lima Church, 46 Church Hill Rd., Newtown for a Mass of Christian Burial. Interment will follow in Resurrection Cemetery, Newtown. Friends may call on Friday from 3-8 p.m. at the Abriola Parkview Funeral Home, 419 White Plains Road, Trumbull. Donations Information In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Swim Across the Sound, c/o St. Vincent Medical Center Foundation, 2800 Main St., Bridgeport, CT 06606