Report by Paula Antolini, May 16, 2019, 4:32PM EDT
OBITUARY
Thomas A. Rombilus
APRIL 12, 1952 – MAY 14, 2019
Thomas A. Rombilus, 67 of Monroe, CT passed away peacefully with his loving wife Donna and family by his side, after a courageous battle with illness.
Born in Nanticoke, PA on April 12, 1952 he was the son of Alexander Rombilus and the late Dorothy Terkowski. He made many memories growing up on the farm in Pennsylvania. His family moved to Connecticut and he started first grade at St. Anthony’s in Bridgeport. He graduated from the University of Bridgeport as a music major. His focus was on the accordion and he won the US Eastern Cup in 1972. He started the band Mélange with some of his best friends and played hundreds of wedding receptions in Fairfield County from the 70’s through the 90’s. In addition, Tom spent 40 years as a dedicated general music teacher at Bethel Middle School. He inspired thousands of students with his love of music and was awarded teacher of the year in 2015. His passion for music and teaching reached well beyond his professional career. During his retirement he continued to teach piano and took lessons himself to advance his skills.
Beyond music Tom loved sports, especially baseball. As a young boy on the farm in Nanticoke, they only had reception for a Pittsburgh radio station KDKA, making him a fan of all PA teams: Pirates, Steelers and Penguins. When any of those teams were on, full attention was devoted to the games, even during holiday dinners! He enjoyed coaching his children’s teams along with Monroe’s youth.
As much as Tom loved music and sports, his greatest love of all was for his family, who he cherished with every bit of his heart. Kind, compassionate, and full of corny jokes! Tom appreciated the “simple things” in life such as JFK conspiracy theories, Roberto Clemente’s 3000th hit, doubling down in blackjack, and mowing the lawn.
He is survived by his wife Donna; children Tanya and Tommy; father, Alexander Rombilus; sister, Gail Wiggins; nephews, Ray and Deon and niece, Raven Wiggins and father-in-law, Joseph Petronchak. He was pre-deceased by his daughter, Ana.
Friends are invited to greet Tom’s family, in a celebration of his life, on Saturday, May 18, 2019 from 2:00 – 5:00 p.m. at the Spadaccino and Leo P. Gallagher & Son Community Funeral Home, 315 Monroe Turnpike in Monroe, CT.
In lieu of flowers Tom’s family requests contributions to be made to the Thomas Rombilus Music Fund to assist Bethel high and middle school music students. Donations can be made at the link herein: https://www.gofundme.com/tom-rombilus-music-fund. To send an online condolence, please visit www.spadaccinofuneralhome.com.
*****
MAY 18
Celebration of Life
2:00 pm – 5:00 pm
SPADACCINO AND LEO P. GALLAGHER & SON
Community Funeral Home
315 Monroe Turnpike
Monroe, Connecticut 06468