Thomas Joseph Cousino, 80, of Vergennes VT, unexpectedly took flight on the afternoon of January 21,2022.
He was born on May 7, 1941, to Peter and Bernadette Cousino of Bristol, VT. He was longing to be with the family members who went before him and eager to meet our Lord.
Tom was a feisty, talkative, opinionated and very loving man. In his younger years, he spent time working in Florida and at Basin Harbor in Vt. He worked at the Brown/McClay Funeral Home when it was still Gordon Brown, but his main occupation throughout life was a Painter. After his retirement, he went to work on a farm in Addison, VT. He was well trained for this job after growing up on the family farm in Bristol.
Tom loved to travel, and after he enlisted in the United States Air Force, he was stationed for a time in Greenland as well around the US. He visited Europe several times and was very proud of meeting the Pope when he was in Rome. Recently, he realized two dreams. He turned 80 and he visited Disneyland while on a vacation to his brother Charlie’s in Florida.
Tom was a deeply religious man. The most important thing in his life was his strong Catholic faith. He spent countless hours learning about the Saints and the ways of the church. He prayed incessantly for everyone he knew and really, he could have been a preacher because he was pretty good at that too! He visited Medjugorje seven times. It was his crowning glory to visit that shrine in Venezuela, and he wanted everyone to go! He will be pleased to see Sister Isolene so soon. They had a special bond and he delighted in delivering boxes and boxes of chocolates to her nursing home at Christmas.
With the help of his siblings, Tom cared for his. mother for the last eight years of her life. He was completely devoted to her. He delighted in telling jokes, some of them totally inappropriate for the company he was in. He adored children and did anything to get a laugh out of them, including turning his eyelids inside out!
Tom leaves behind eight siblings, but he is joining seven others in heaven. He was predeceased by his parents, Peter and Bernadette Cousino as well as five brothers. Eugene, Joseph, Lucius, and Ambrose Cousino, all of Bristol, Guy Cousino (Pauline) of Vergennes and two sisters, Marjorie Paquette (Emile) and Veronica Mayer (Raymond) both of Bristol. Tom leaves eight siblings. Yvonne Morgan (Ray) of Middlebury, Roger Cousino (Denise) of Bristol and SC, Charles Cousino (Susan) of New Haven and FLA, Anne Myrick of Bridport, Patricia Atkins (Victor) of Lincoln, Linda Roscoe (Kirk), Mary Bingham (Robert) and Peter Cousino (Gail) all of Bristol. He leaves behind sixty nieces and nephews and more greats than we could count as well as numerous cousins and friends. He also leaves behind Garry and Cindy Cousino and their sons who were precious family to him. A very special thanks to Pat Wager who drove Tom to church every Sunday and took him on outings or shopping and to his neighbors Cookie and Racheal Steponaitis ,who looked after Tom and often kept him company. His belief in the power of prayer was total. Please say a prayer that Tom is zooming right into heaven!
There will be calling hours on Friday, Jan. 28, from 5 to 8 PM at the Brown/McClay Funeral Home in Bristol A mass of Chrisian Burial will take place at St. Ambrose Catholic Church in Bristol at 11 AM on Saturday Jan 29. Because of the covid spikes, there will not be a gathering at this time. Perhaps a picnic this summer. To send online condolences to his family please visit www.brownmcclayfuneralhomes.com
To my cousins in the Cousino and extended families:
Tom was one of a kind. Unfortunately, while we were all growing up, I did not get to know Tom as well as I would have liked. However, on those rare occasions when we did get together, Tom always left his mark! I am certain I can speak for my siblings and other cousins when I say how grateful we were that Tom purchased my grandparents’ home after my grandpa passed. (Your Uncle Ben and Aunt “Melindy.”) I was so happy to have been able to visit Tom and my other cousins at his home in 2009 after my Uncle Clem’s funeral service.
His renovations were amazing! How nice it was to drive by the homestead and still honk the horn to someone whom we knew inside the home. I can still feel the heartbreak when I learned that the house burned to the ground and yet so grateful that Tom was able to (barely) escape the fire with his life.
We all know that Tommy took the express elevator to Heaven and is rejoicing with his parents (my Uncle Peter and Aunt Bernie) as well as his departed siblings and friends.
May the Lord Bless Tom and all of you.
Cousin Joe Cousino
South Burlington
Dave and I are sad to hear that Tom passed away,unexpectedly. We know that he’ll be with other members of his family and waiting for other family members and friends to join him in Heaven. He was a good Christian man.
Sister Isoline Duclos was a good friend of mine and I was planning on attending Tom’s Funeral to represent her, the Sisters of Mercy and myself. Due to the Northeastern heading our way, this will not be possible for me.
Our hearts and prayers are with all of you in Tom’s family and friends, big group!
We were all the lucky ones to enjoy Tom’s Christmas Chocolates in abundance, generosity and caring. He certainly was a dear friend of Sr. Isoline’s and so kind to all of us.
God is blessing him with Fullness of Life.
Peace and sympathy to you.
To Tom’s family:
My family and I first met Tom at St. Ambrose parish when we began attending mass there about 10 years ago. From the get-go he was always joking with our younger son, and just naturally made us all feel welcome. I always enjoyed hearing him sing at mass in those earlier days and I always enjoyed talking with him at coffee hour, or just sharing a hug to say hello. He was a valuable example to me because I saw how feisty he was but still he put the Lord before his own disappointment and even before his own judgements – he truly was humble before the Lord. I am sad that we missed the funeral mass yesterday, and I am sad he won’t be sitting in that chair at the back with his cane – but I am sad for us, not for him! I remember him telling me that he was ready to go when the Lord said so. “When you take away their breath, they perish/and return to the dust from which they came./When you send forth your breath, they are created,/and you renew the face of the earth.” (Ps104:29-30) Happy Birth-day Tom!
love and miss you now and always my friend.
will miss this funny,loving, and generous man. he loved to make me laugh, scare the dickens out of me with his disguises and laugh himself until he cried. always made you feel right at home and cook the best meals!! I paid him back by doing the dishes and cleaning the kitchen!!!! jobs he hated, he was always good for a nice bear hug too!!