1931 – 2015

NEW GLOUCESTER — Thomas Jannarone, 84, of New Gloucester passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, Nov. 7.

Tom was born in Bloomfield, N.J., and raised along with his brother, Joe, by parents, Thomas A. and Julia (Recenello) Jannarone, on their family farm. The years Tom spent growing up with his loving, hardworking, close-knit family provided him with many of the defining characteristics he carried throughout his life.

After graduating high school, Tom served in the U.S. Marine Corps. In 1953, he married JoAnne Gyswyt. Tom’s love of the outdoors drew them to Maine, where he put down permanent roots in the Sabbathday Lake region of New Gloucester. Tom was predeceased by JoAnne in 1964.

Tom eventually remarried and continued to grow his family. After working for many years at General Adjustment Bureau, he struck out with two close associates to start Mid-State Adjustment in 1976.

Tom truly loved living in Maine and all that it afforded. He loved fishing and was passionate about Atlantic salmon. He loved boating on Sabbathday Lake and spent countless hours cutting his own firewood. One of his great joys was spending time with his friend, Harvey, at Tim Pond Camps. He was an avid hunter — after 20 fruitless years, he was thrilled to finally receive his moose permit. Tom got his moose!

After retiring, Tom continued to explore and enjoy all life had to offer. He traveled to Alaska, enjoyed Caribbean cruises and spent time in Labrador, fishing with his pals. He took great pride in the lovingly tended gardens at his home in New Gloucester and enjoyed following his favorite football teams. He was also extremely proud to honor his dear friend by creating the Joseph Graziani Scholarship Fund.

Tom will be missed by many. When he shook your hand or embraced you in one of his bear hugs, you knew someone truly saw you and truly cared.

Tom is survived by his brother, Joseph Jannarone and family of Morris Plains, N.J.; his children, Thomas Jeffrey Jannarone, Julianne and William Bartlett, Matthew and Tammy Jannarone, Andrea Jannarone, Jennifer Jannarone and partner, Mark Duhamel, and Meghan and Michael Hamilton; and his grandchildren, William Thomas Bartlett, Jamie Jannarone, Robert (Bobby) Jannarone and Brittany Moody. Tom is also survived by Elijah Plante, Ryan Moon and Micaela Baron, whom he thought of as family.