Saturday, December 27, 2008

WILCOX, Thomas Professor

Thomas Wilcox died on Sunday (December 21, 2008). He was 87. Tom was born in Bronxville, NY, where he lived with his parents, Daniel and Katherine Malone Wilcox and his brother Daniel until they moved to Winnetka, IL, where Tom attended New Trier High School. Tom attended Amherst College, MA and graduated with honors in 1942. He enlisted in the Navy and became a pilot serving in Britain. During flight training, Tom met his future wife, Darlene Butcher of Hutchinson, KS; she was his flight simulator trainer. They were married two weeks later. After World War II, Tom did his graduate studies in English at Harvard University, and during that time daughter Patricia was born. Tom started his long teaching career at Bennington College, Vermont, where son, Daniel was born. Tom started and was the editor of Exercise Exchange, a magazine for college English teachers. When Alaska became a State, Tom was honored by being asked to help improve the new University's English Dept. and the family spent two years in Alaska. Thereafter in 1962, Tom accepted a professorship at the University of Connecticut. While at UConn, Tom supervised its Freshman English program. He was often to be seen driving around in his classic Triumph TR3 sports car. He retired as Professor Emeritus from UConn in 1986. Tom was a gourmet cook, loved jazz and classical music, and also enjoyed fishing and power boating - the family had many pleasant times on Long Island Sound on his Boston Whaler, Felix Culpa (Happy Sin). Tom's sense of humor, his way with words and his kindness endeared him to family, friends and caretakers alike. Tom was predeceased by his wife, Darlene Butcher Wilcox. He is survived by his daughter, Patricia Wilcox Nielson of Bristol; his son, Daniel Wilcox of Potomac, MD; his grandson Matthew Wilcox also of Potomac, MD; his brother, Daniel Wilcox of Palm Springs, FL; and his dear friend Corinne Wingard of Agawam, MA. A Memorial Service will be planned in the near future. Memorial donations may be made to Klingberg Family Centers, 370 Linwood St., New Britain, CT 05052. For online memorial guestbook, please visit www. potterfuneralhome.com

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