Thomas Brackett Obituary (1927 - 2025)

1927~2025 C. Thomas Brackett Farmington - It is with sadness, gratitude and respect that the family of C. Thomas (Tom) Brackett, age 98 1/2, announces that he passed away on November 10, 2025, as he wished: peacefully, at home, with his closest family by his side. The last of his generation in our family, he was finally reunited with his ‘bride’ in heaven, “even if he only gets to visit once a week!” Tom was born in Industry, Maine, on April 19, 1927, to Gertrude Kennedy and Coridan T. Brackett and attended school, primarily in West Mills, until the eighth grade when he left to work and support his family and himself. Tom joined the U.S. Marine Corps and was honorably discharged in 1946. He was fortunate that his World War II assignments kept him stateside, and he humbly acknowledged the greater sacrifices of those who served overseas. Returning home after the service, he went to work for Barney Durrell in Industry and learned to be a mechanic. Tom and his bride Annette Vose Brackett of Farmington were married on June 3, 1947. They settled in Farmington to raise children and cattle. They lived on the Town Farm Road, and then for 30 + years on the farm that they purchased in 1960 on Porter Hill Road. Tom worked at Hudson Garage, Newman’s Buick and Olds, and Porter Equipment, and then as a plumber for Ralph Goodwin. After that, he worked for 28 years at SAD 9, first as a mechanic in the bus garage before earning teaching certification to become the first auto mechanics instructor at Foster Vocational Center where, for 16 years, he is fondly remembered as Mr. Brackett. Tom enjoyed having summers off to work on their land, mowing fields, cutting wood, even selling rocks for the rebuild of the Fairbanks bridge. Along with his wife and family, using logs from their own property, he built a log cabin retirement home on the Porter Hill property. Tom enjoyed fishing with his brother Joe (and friends), raising critters, maintaining their land, and creating snowmobile and ski trails. Back in the day, he was known as a good dancer. He enjoyed overhauling tractors, including a Farmall Cub, and he was always on the watch for an opportunity to get a good deal on a piece of equipment, a vehicle, or a woods toy that he could buy, fix up, use, and then sell. He was steady on the controls and cautious behind the wheel earning him the nickname "Turtle". He was a current member of the Maine Antique Tractor Club and a former member of the Maine Snowmobile Association and the West Farmington Fire Department and was involved in the formation of the Mt. Blue Federal Credit Union (now the Franklin Somerset Federal Credit Union). He was a great storyteller, and he often chuckled as he reminisced about his life experiences. (He was also likely to chuckle if he disagreed with you about something.) He was known to tell his students and others who struggled with commonsense challenges, that they “would starve to death in a supermarket.” He enjoyed, and was grateful for, visits with his family, friends, neighbors, and former students. The highlight of his last year was the birth of his great-great grandson, Beckett Thomas Butterfield. Tom watched Beckett's first year of growth and development with absolute delight. Tom is survived by and will be missed by his children: Jeff Brackett (Janet) of New Sharon; Dan Brackett of San Diego, CA; Peggy Brackett of Mazatlán, Mexico; Scott Brackett (Cindy Heath) of Temple; and Susan Brackett (David Wooley) of Farmington; his grandchildren, Tracy Brackett of New Sharon, Paul Brackett of Lincoln, and Jason Kingsley (Jodi) of Chicago, IL; his great granddaughter, Samantha Jewell (Jon Butterfield); and great-great grandson, Beckett Butterfield of New Sharon; and many nieces and nephews. Tom was predeceased by his wife of 77 years, Annette Vose Brackett, on July 23, 2024. He was also predeceased by his parents; his brother, Lloyd E. “Joe” Brackett (Evelyn); Annette’s parents; his sister-in-law Norma Elizabeth Vose, brother-in-law George Vose (Virginia), brother-in-law, Marshall Vose (Marian); sister-in-law, Celia Sawtelle (Annette’s twin) (Cecil); two daughters, Judith Elaine and Nancy Ann Brackett; great grandson, Levi Jewell; nephew, Tommy Brackett; niece, Betty Jo Wade; and nephew, Alan Sawtelle. Many life-long friends are waiting for him. During the last year, Tom missed his bride terribly. He would talk to "the Little Lady's" photo and ask her to "beam him up". In spite of this, he also had some fun adventures and outings - including bi-weekly visits and lively conversations with a new friend, Beverly Moore, to whom he was introduced by his caregiver, Emily. Beverly passed away in July. The family extends their thanks to Melissa Marble and the staff at Andwell for their compassion and hospice care, and their deepest appreciation to Emily Franson Jones who was instrumental in allowing both Tom and Annette to remain comfortably at home. Thanks also to Sheryl Napier, Beverly Moore’s daughter, for her continued visits. In accordance with his wishes, there will be no funeral or memorial service. In remembrance of Tom (our patriarch, Father / Grandfather) charitable donations may be made to the Tom Brackett Memorial Scholarship or to the Levi W. Jewell Memorial Scholarship at Foster Career and Technical Education Center: Attn: Bruce Mochamer Student Services Coordinator Foster CTE Center 129 Seamon Road Farmington, ME 04938 207-778-3561 Ext. 4913 207-491-0802 (cell) bmochamer@mtbluersd.org https://www.fostercte.com/about-1 or to your own favorite charity. And, of course, always keep your vehicles in tip-top running condition. Arrangements are in the care of Dan and Scott’s Cremation and Funeral Service, 488 Farmington Falls Road, Farmington, Maine, where memories, photos and condolences may be shared at dsfuneral.com.