Thomas Patterson Hulit

Our beloved brother, uncle, friend and companion, Thomas Patterson Hulit, passed away peacefully on the morning of August 8, 2021 at his group home in Wilbraham, Massachusetts.  Tom was born in Stamford, Connecticut on May 29, 1957, the youngest child of John and Dorothy Hulit.  Relocating to Longmeadow, Massachusetts, Mom and Dad provided us with a loving, nurturing home, and they made sure Tom was always occupied and socially involved. They took him on many trips, to Maine, across the northeast, and cross-country to the Seattle area five or six times.  As a result, Tom led a happy and active life, developed a variety of interests and his contagious happiness led to many instant and long lasting friendships. Tom worked every day for most of his young adulthood and into later life, a devoted employee of the AIC bookstore, the Baypath College kitchen staff, the Work Opportunity Center, Human Resources Unlimited, Jerry's Restaurant, and the Pyramid program; at each place he is remembered as the guy who was always glad to see you, was quick to smile, and who was eternally in an upbeat mood. As one friend said recently, Tom never had a bad day. Tom lived in Longmeadow with Mom and Dad until Father's passing, when sister Sue moved in to care for him and Mom.  A few years later, Mother passed as well; eventually the family residence was sold. His next step in life was to move into an adult family care residence, where he resided for three years with the loving couple of Raquel and Carlos Wong, in Springfield.  He then moved into his group home in Wilbraham, where he received warm and attentive care for the rest of his days. Tom was a rabid sports fan.  He lived and breathed all things WWE, from Hulk Hogan to John Cena, and you always knew what he wanted for his birthday:  Smack down T-shirts, magazines, action figures, wrestling DVDs.  He was a diehard Red Sox fan as well.  And Tom had a bit of savant in him; ask him any obscure question about 60-80s TV shows, from an actor's screen name/real name, program time slots, other trivia...like, who played Dr. Smith on Lost in Space? What day/time was some show on?   Tom knew!  Incidentally, Tom was a great dancer too! Tom would also want to remember his best friend Philip Barnhart, Shawn Wise, Patti, Elizabeth and many others at ETS, and the amazing care staff in Wilbraham including Stacyann Snipes, Siobbhan Spruill, and others. Tom was predeceased by his parents, John and Dorothy Hulit. He is survived by his sisters, Carolyn Sue Hulit of Murfreesboro, TN, and Penny Elizabeth D'Angelo of Feeding Hills, MA; his brother, John A. Hulit of Snohomish WA; as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins and countless friends.  In remembrance, a calling hour is scheduled for Thursday, August 12th from 6-7 pm at the Byron Keenan Funeral Home & Cremation Tribute Center, 1858 Allen Street, Springfield.  A private service will follow at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Tom's favorite charity, the Special Olympics.

(www.supportspecialolympics.org)

Tom, the world will not be the same without you!