Thomas Paul Koepke, 76, of Westerly, RI passed away Tuesday May 16, 2023 at Yale New Haven Hospital. He was the son of the late Richard John and Mary Rose (Lariviere) Koepke.
Born in Windham, he was raised in Chaplin, CT and became a graduate of St. Mary’s School in Willimantic and Windham High School. He then went on to attend school in Florida and to receive a degree from Morse School of Business in Hartford, CT. In his youth he worked as a 4-H camp counselor in northeastern CT; a clerk at a local pharmacy, and at American Thread. He then spent his entire career dedicated to improving the lives of people with intellectual disabilities -- most recently as a regional manager for the State of Connecticut Department of Developmental Services (formerly DMR). There, he worked most closely with the John Dempsey Center in Putnam. He created wonderful friendships with his colleagues, a great many of which lasted well beyond his retirement in 2002.
Tom was a long-time resident of Westerly, RI and a congregant of St. Clare’s Catholic Church in Westerly, where he served as a eucharistic minister. He was one of the greatest gift-givers many of us have ever known – he delighted in holidays, especially Christmas, and was incredibly generous with his time and entertaining spirit! He enjoyed life at the coast, gardening, watching the birds at the feeders, travelling with friends, and loved a good party. He was a fixture in the neighborhood and was always welcoming friends to stop in for visits. Tom had a truly warm and wonderful sense of humor that will be missed by many. He came by that naturally – he is descended from a large extended family filled with quick-witted and entertaining aunts, uncles, and cousins. A recently discovered and notable fact we learned about Tom is how much he enjoyed square dancing back in his younger days. He was thoughtful with advice; he gave it when asked, was open-minded, and always searching for the positive. In short, one could say he was a real mensch!
Tom was predeceased by his brother, Alan, and several cousins.
He is survived by his sister-in-law, Barbara Koepke; his niece (and goddaughter), Tracey Koepke of Durham, NC; his nephew, Edward Koepke of Coventry, CT; cousins Robert Koepke (Laraine) of West Windsor, NJ; Kenneth French (Monica) of Leland, NC; Gary French (Carol) of Ellington, CT; John French (Lori) of Coventry, CT; Michael Insalaco (Catherine) of Medina, TN, and John Insalaco (Ann) of Scotland, CT; members of the Lariviere and Paquette families; his dear life-long friends Judy and Peter Garreffi of Westerly, RI and Pam and Luke Loranger of Windham, CT; members of the Goodney family, especially Dr. Philip Goodney (Amy) and their children of Etna, NH; godson Christopher Goodney (Susan) of Brooklyn, NY; and Lauren Griswold (Matthew) and their daughter of Hebron, CT.
He leaves a wonderful assortment of family and friends to cherish his memory – may it be a blessing to us all.
A Mass will be celebrated on Thursday May 25, at 10AM at St. Mary Church, 46 Valley St., Willimantic. Burial will be in St. Joseph Cemetery, Windham. Relatives and friends may pay their respects on Thursday from 9AM until the Mass at church.
If you are so inclined, the Koepke family requests that donations in his name be directed to the COPD Foundation. They are a patient-centered organization committed to preventing COPD, bronchiectasis, and nontuberculous mycobacterial lung disease, and to seeking cures while improving lives and advocating for all affected. The COPD Foundation is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization rated as a ‘Four-Star Charity’ by Charity Navigator. https://www.copdfoundation.org/Ways-to-Give/Donate/Tribute-Giving.aspx
To send an online expression of sympathy, please visit www.baconfh.com
To send flowers or plant a tree in memory of Thomas Paul Koepke, visit the Tribute Store.
Previous Events
Visitation
25
May
46 Valley St
Willimantic, CT 06226
Funeral Mass
25
May
46 Valley St
Willimantic, CT 06226
Cemetery Details
Location
61 Club Rd
Windham, CT 06280
