Thomas James Buchan
Thomas James Buchan, 91, of Ashlar Village, Wallingford, husband of the late Hazel Southerton Buchan passed away Saturday, August 16, 2003. He was born in New York City, son of the late Harry Anthony O'Donovan and Edith Palmer Buchan and resided in North Haven for 40 years before moving to Wallingford in 1987. He was employed at the Smedley Co. and retired after 30 years as General Manager. He was also a Real Estate broker and appraiser and Town Assessor for the Town of North Haven for several years, retiring in 1980. He was an active member of Saint John's Episcopal Church North Haven, as Senior Warden and Vestry Committee. Mr. Buchan was Chairman of the North Haven Board of Education for 2 years, 1964-1966 and served on the Board of Directors, Elderly Housing Management. He was a member of Corinthian Lodge, #103, A.F. & A.M and was Past Master and District Deputy. Mr. & Mrs. Buchan were married for 63 years before her death, March 30, 2003. He is survived by sons, Thomas James Buchan, Jr. of Hamden and Dennis S. Buchan of Rochester, NY. Also survived by 5 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by a sister, Patricia Buchan and 3 brothers, Stephen Robert O'Donovan, Richard O'Donovan and Joseph Douglas O'Donovan. Funeral service Wednesday, August 20, 2003, at 11:00 a.m. at Saint John Episcopal Church, North Haven. Interment will be in Center Cemetery, North Haven. Arrangements in care of BEECHER & BENNETT, 2300 Whitney Ave., Hamden. Memorial contributions may be sent to St. John Episcopal Church, Endowment Fund, 3 Trumbull Place, North Haven, CT 06473.
Dear Tom, Dennis and Family: Tom was a wonderful man. I knew him well at St. John\’s Church. He did me the honor of asking me to succeed him as a Eucharistic Minister when he was no longer able to function in that capacity. I still carry out that commitment and think of him each time I serve. It\’s been at least 12 years now. I often think of him in the kitchen at St. John\’s, cooking for the men\’s breakfasts, wearing that great yellow apron that says .Have you hugged an Episcopalian today?. He used to leave whatever was cooking on the stove and go out to find Hazel and give her a kiss, in that huge yellow apron and right in front of a crowd of people. I\’m blessed to have known both of them. The service you had for him was lovely. With my sincere sympathy, Carol Munson
Farewell to a very fine Gentleman.
May the peace and love of God comfort you in this time of loss.
To Tom & Hazel\’s family: We were their .across the street neighbors. on Bassett Rd. and we\’ve never stopped missing them. With our deepest sympathy…
Tom, Heidi and Family, Please accept our deepest sympathy in the loss of your loved one. We will keep you in our thoughts and prayers daily.