Atty. Thomas J. Staley, Sr.
Attorney Thomas John Staley, 76, of Cheshire, beloved husband of Barbara (Coutts) Staley died Saturday, April 25 at MidState Medical Center after a short illness. Mr. Staley was born in New Haven, CT on January 5, 1933, a son of the late Charles A. Staley, Sr. and Anne Lonergan Staley and was pre-deceased by his brother Charles A. Staley, Jr. He was a member of the first graduating class of Notre Dame High School in West Haven CT and a graduate of Fairfield University and the University of Connecticut Law School. Mr. Staley and his wife resided in Cheshire for 52 years. He was a founding partner of Barberio, Staley and Pearson (formerly Barberio, Staley and Moquet) where he continued to work since 1965. He became a member of the State Board of Mediation and Arbitration in 1977, acting as the Deputy Chair from 2004 to the present. He was a Justice of the Peace, a member of the National Academy of Arbitrators, Employee Review Board, the Second Arbitration Panel and MERA Arbitration Panel. Active in town and state politics for years, he served the town of Cheshire from 1960 - 1975 as a member of the Board of Selectmen, the Town Council and of numerous boards and commissions. Mr. Staley was an avid golfer all his life and was a member of the New Haven Country Club. He served on the Board of Governors and was its President 1990 - 1991. He was a member of the Knights of St. Patrick, the Knights of Columbus and was very active in Alcoholics Anonymous. He was the loving father to Linda and Peter L'Ecuyer of Merrimack NH, Sharon and Terrence Richardson of Hopkinton MA, Beth Ann Staley of Unionville CT, Thomas J. (Chip) and Amy Staley of Hingham MA and Peter Staley of Denver CO. He was grandfather to Timothy L'Ecuyer, Aimee and Michael Piccolo, Eric L'Ecuyer, Michael Richardson, Katherine Richardson, Thomas J. Staley III and Andrew Staley and great-grandfather to Quinten, Isabella and Kaylee Piccolo. Mr. Staley was a devoted family man who was grateful for all he had. Friends and family relied on him to be a source of support, energy and good humor. Funeral from BEECHER & BENNETT FUNERAL HOME, 2300 Whitney Ave, Hamden on Thursday April 30, 2009 at 10 AM, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 AM in St. Bridget Church, Cheshire. Friends may also visit with his family at the funeral home on Wednesday from 5 to 8 PM. Interment will take place in Hillside Cemetery, Cheshire. In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations in his memory be made to the American Cancer Society, 538 Preston Ave. Meriden, CT 06450.
I will never forget his wit and humor. He will be missed. God blessed him and we are much richer for knowing Tom. Jim
Tom, Ausmus is batting .417. God love you and keep you , good and loyal friend. My sincerest condolences to your entire family for the loss of such a fine man and gentleman.
What a larger-than-life man Tom was! Huge sense of humor! Wonderful tease! He will be sorely missed…..
Barbara and family: Tom was a friend, fellow golfer, a sounding board about our families, a real story teller and overall, a caring lawyer. He was a camping cohort with our sons and of him, our memories are varied and many. We are sorry and want you to know, Tom will always be in our prayers. Love, Fran and Mike
Dearest Staley Family It was such sad news to hear of Mr. Staley’s passing. He was such a larger than life figure. I have so many memories of him and my Dad laughing and carrying on, and the stories! They couldn’t all be true, could they? Please know I am thinking of you all and hoping that your pain is tempered by knowing the joy you all gave him. Always, Jill Wood
I am deeply saddened by the passing of Tom, the world has lost a wonderful humanitarian. My sympathy to the Staley family for thier loss.I too have lost a wonderful friend. He will always be in my thoughts. Now he is in heaven,as an angel watching over everyone he has touched in his lifetime.
I lost a dear friend who knew how to mix the funny side of life with the serious. Tom, you have left an empty chair on Tuesday nites but left all our hearts very full. God Bless.
I will miss Tom’s stories at our meetings, although many I know by heart:) He was a really amazing man that lived life like a loose garmet and always spread a positive message. My sympathy to his family and God bless.
I will never golf again without having Tom in my mind. He helped me get started and was always there to lend a hand, advice or fill out a foursome. I miss him terribly already.
I wish to express my great sympathy to the Staley family. Tom was one of those unique individuals who was respected by everyone no matter which side of the table they sat on. I’m sure all members of management and labor feel a great sense of loss as a result of Tom’s passing. He will surely be missed by all.
I’m shocked and saddened by the loss of Tom. I send my deepest sympathies to Barbara and Family.
Mr. Staley You are one of my absolutely favorite patients. You always had a joke for me and made me laugh. I will miss you very much. My condolences to the family. You were a very special person and I will miss you very much. Cathy(Slim) at Cheshire Family Medicine
Mrs. Staley and Family. I am deeply saddened by the news of Tom’s passing. He was a good friend and mentor for years. His wit and wisdom were boundless and he did his part to make the world a better place.
My best to Atty Staleys family. He made a huge difference in my life with his knowledge gained from human experience. May God keep him in forever peace.
My deepest sympathy
My thoughts and prayers are extended to the Staley family. Your husband will be remembered for his kindness and ability to listen and to share his thoughts on all matters. In our last hearing, he spoke lovingly of his wife and family. May God bless and keep you always.
Sorry to hear of your loss. I had a working relationship with Tom for 28 years.One of the best arbitrators I have ever dealt with, tough but fair. He further helped and adviced me when I was going thru a difficult in my life , for which I am forever greatful. Bob Pezze (RET) AFSCME ,Council 4
Staley Family: I know you are many because Tom has spoken of you at the Tuesday Night Meetings. I will miss not having his objective comments and gentle suggestions. Be at Peace.
The labor and legal world lost a good man with Tom’s passing. He was a man who was not afraid to express himself nor did he shy away from difficult topics and I respected him greatly for that. I will truly miss him.
The Staley Family, Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Yours is a strong and loving family to help each other thru this difficult time. Our family has shared many fond memories with .The Staleys.. We will always be gratefull to Barbara and Tom for the little things. Be at Peace, Tom is resting with Family and Friends. With Love and Prayers, .The Phelans.
To the Family, I am saddened by the news of the passing of Tom. He was a bright, witty, well respected arbitrator who will be missed by all. You are all in our thoughts and prayers during these difficult times. Sincerely, Steven Werbner, Town Manager, Tolland, Ct.
Tom was a great man. He will be missed. Our prayers are with you during this difficult time. David C Seaman, Jr. and Eileen Seaman
Tom was my Trumbull Street neighbor,friend and colleague for almost 30 years. He was always so friendly and upbeat, no matter the circumstances. My condolences to all his family, whom he obviously loved so much.
Tom, It’s going to be a little quieter and a lot less fun at the golf course now. Vespucci’s too. We’ll miss you.
We will miss Tom very much but he will always be in our memory and in our prayers. He was just a very good man and our world will not be the same without him. The Nester Family.
We will miss Tom’s companionship on Tuesday nights in Cheshire.
Though we drifted apart, Tom will always be a part of our lives. DIck and Mildred
To all of the Staley’s. David, the boys and I offer our deepest sympathies for your loss. I wish I had known .Mr. Staley. sooner and longer. He was a very special person. We have you all in our prayers.
To Barbara and family, Tom was so special,and seemed to know everyone. We will especially miss his stories and jokes – he knew a million of them! Rest in peace, Tom.
To the Staley Family Our heartfelt condolences to all of you. Cherish all the wonderful memories. Fondly, Elaine & John Dufour
Tom was a lawyer I’ve admired for 40 years. I have always been proud to call him a friend. I will sorely miss him.
Tom was one of a kind – along with the rest of the labor/management community I will sorely miss his engaging sense of humor, side bar discussions on sundry topics, keen insights into human nature, and of course, the feeling of confidence he gave us all when we chose Tom to arbitrate our cases – that his decision would be fair and just.
Tom you were one of a kind a BIG teddy bear, you will be missed dearly you brought JOY when you came into the office. God has now welcomed you into his palace. My friend whom I will always love, your friend always, Ivette SBMA
Tom: You were my friend and mentor. Your humor and wisdom was unmatched. I will miss you.
Our most heartfelt condolences. Jean & Bob Adnopoz
To the Staley Family, My sincerest condolences to you all. Tom was a good friend ,great arbitrator and wonderful story-teller. His presence in labor relations was legion and he will sorely be missed by us all.
Tom Staley is gone. He passed away April 25, 2009 from an apparent heart attack, leaving the rest of us who loved him with hearts beating, but aching and broken. All those years he and I sat on the same side of the table in teacher contract disputes,and on opposite sides when he lorded over me and my opponent in administrator contract hearings and employee termination proceedings. He won’t be driving passed my office late at night and see me working, or blow his horn and call me up to tell me I should go home. He can’t say I’m crazy anymore for boxing, and then in the following breath want to know when the next fight would be so he could watch. Tom achieved the summit of the arbitration profession because he was regarded by all parties as smart and fair, and,I suspect, if there is any room for negotiations in the afterlife, he will spectacularly rise to the highest point in the heavens. I wish I could file a grievance with some personified force and get him reinstated, but I don’t think Tom would allow it. He would probably say, in an ever so slightly raised voice, .Wait a minute, Hold on …… That’s the deal.
Tom: You were not only my employer/my .boss. but you were my friend. During your interview of me several years ago, I remember that you said that family always comes first so I should never hesitate to ask you for time off for a family-related matter. I knew then that I would be working with a good person. You were always honest and fair with me and your kindness and generosity extended to my busband and my daughter as well. You spoke so often of Barbara and your family that I felt that I knew them as well as my own family. In my capacity as your assistant, I had the pleasure of meeting many great people in the labor/management field and some very nice people in your general clientele. For the last two years, I observed first-hand your indomitable spirit as you came back – from surgery, chemotherapy and radiation – to the work that you loved. It was an honor and privilege to have worked with you over the last 12 years. Fondly, Bern
Dear Barbara…and family…..we were so sorry to hear about Tom….our prayers and thoughts are with you…your wonderful memories will get you through this difficult time.
My condolences, prayers and best wishes to Tom’s family. I left Cheshire 22 years ago but still have fond memories of my friendship with Tom. He was a straight shooter who had little trouble distinguishing right from wrong. I was privileged to serve on the Town Council with him.
Pete and Staley family, My condolences go out to the entire family for your loss. Mr. Staley was always very friendly to us (Pete’s Class of ’83 friends), whenever we dropped by to pick Pete up for social activities. Again, sorry for your loss. Sincerely, Jeff Tan
Thomas was obviously an accomplished, bright, dedicated, and hard working man. You all must be very proud of him. We are sorry that we were not fortunate enough to meet him. We know how much you will miss him and are very sorry for your loss.
To The Staley Family, I am sad to hear of the death of Attorney Tom Staley. He was a great friend with a wonderful sense of humor. Our world was much richer with him here. My condolences to all of the family.
As I coached my son in baseball this morning, I remembered my coach Mr. Staley. Mr. Staley never missed a practice and was always an encouragement. As an adult, Mr. Staley was there again as a bulldog attorney representing me in a federal business case. As I paced his New Haven office, he sternly told me to relax and let him do his job! Then he wore the other side down just like he did on the baseball field. Mr. Staley will always be remembered fondly by myself and my dad. He will always remain in my prayers.