Thomas J. Bracken

Thomas J. Bracken, proud veteran, brother and uncle, formerly of Cuyahoga Falls, OH and Pontiac, MI, died peacefully at the Gables of Kentridge in Kent, OH, on April 17, 2018, at the age of 87, after a long and courageous battle with vascular dementia and multiple myeloma. He will be dearly missed by his family and is survived by his sisters, Theresa A. Broun of Hudson, OH and Rosemary Nakane of Los Angeles, CA; as well as his niece, Denise A. Kirkwood (Broun) of Cuyahoga Falls, OH, her husband, Don Michael Kirkwood and their children, Whitney (great-niece) and Abraham Kirkwood (great-nephew); and 14 nieces and nephews and many great-nieces and great-nephews. He is preceded in death by his brother, Donald R. Bracken of Spokane, Washington; as well as his parents, Thomas P. and Mary E. Bracken.
Tom was born on February 2, 1931 in his grandmother's home, in Kenmore, OH. He attended Manchester High School before enlisting in the United States Naval Air Force when he was just 17 years old. He was proud of his service time in the Korean War in which he flew B-17 Super Constellation airplanes across Europe, Africa, and the Korean Peninsula. After the war, his stellar math and science skills placed him at the top of his class where he was accepted into the Georgetown University studying to become an Electronics Specialist. While a student at Georgetown University, Tom was recruited by Goodyear Aerospace of Akron where he came home and worked for 18 years until the end of the Nike Missile Program. Tom was grateful to be hired by General Motors at the Terex Plant in Hudson, OH, in the early 80's. Yet, due to the poor economy, was eventually forced to accept a job out of state in Pontiac, MI, where he worked until his retirement.
Tom, or "Uncle Tom" was best described by those who knew him well as "generous beyond belief and never asking for anything in return". He was a true father figure to many in the family and the community. Tom loved teaching children about fishing, hunting, safe driving, and auction shopping, as well the values of hard-work, honesty, integrity, and an appreciation for nature. He was humble and kind, as well as fiercely independent. Tom always looked for the best in people and was easy to forgive those around him. For over 25 years, Tom commuted every weekend back and forth between Cuyahoga Falls, OH and Pontiac, MI, to come home to take care of his entire family in any way that he could. He loved to travel in his camper with his family reaching places as far as Alaska and the West Coast.
In the last chapter of his life, Tom was blessed to be taken care of by the profoundly dedicated staff at the Gables of Kentridge, as well as the unwavering care provided by Harbor Light Hospice and First Light Homecare of Akron, OH.
Friends will be received at the Billow FALLS Chapel, 1907 23rd St., Cuyahoga Falls, OH on Tuesday, April 24, 2 hours prior to the service, Father Matthew Jordan will be officiating services at the funeral home at Noon on Tuesday. Interment will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery, Akron, OH. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials may be made to American Cancer Society, 3500 Embassy Parkway #150, Fairlawn, 44333 or Alzheimer's Association, 70 W. Streetsboro St. #240, Hudson, 44236. (Billow Falls Chapel)