BAREFOOT BAY FL - Thomas D. (Dave) Deeley, 83, formerly of Waterbury, CT, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday December 4, 2025, in Barefoot Bay, Florida.

Dave was born on January 10, 1942, in Waterbury, CT., a son of the late Joseph and Mary Catherine (McDermott) Deeley. He grew up in the East End on Elliot Avenue in the shadow of Saints Peter and Paul Church, where he attended grammar school and was an altar boy. He graduated from Warren F. Kaynor Technical High School, Class of 1960 and then enlisted in the United States Marines, where he served honorably for four years, including a deployment on the USS Boxer during the Cuban Missile Crisis. After completing his military service, he returned to Waterbury and married the love of his life, Jo-Ann Murphy in November of 1965. The birth of their son,David, followed a year later. Dave proudly served the City of Waterbury for more than thirty years as a member of the Waterbury Police Department, where he was one of the first officers assigned to patrol in a highway wagon when the Mixmaster opened and would spend many years as a detective in the vice and intelligence unit.He also worked hundreds of high school football and basketball games throughout the city during his career, including many at Holy Cross High School.Dave twice served as President of the Waterbury Police Athletic League in the1970’s. He was also a life member and Past Exalted Ruler of P.B.O. Elks Lodge 265,where he enjoyed playing in both setback and duckpin bowling leagues and helping to organize annual holiday parties for children at the lodge. 

Upon retirement in1999, Dave and Jo-Ann relocated to Barefoot Bay, FL to begin many years of snowbirding fun, shuttling between Florida and Plainville, CT. In retirement, he enjoyed golf, bocce, and being active in numerous social clubs and activity groups, including the morning sunrise coffee club at Earl’s Hideaway along the Indian River Lagoon.He bravely endured the rabid sports fandom of his wife and future TV sports anchors on and was an avid supporter of both the UConn women’s basketball and University of Florida softball teams, attending numerous games. He also enjoyed the companionship of many family dogs over the years, including his “Big Guy” Barney,and most recently Kona, a Labradoodle rescue, and his granddog, Cooper.

Dave was predeceased by Jo-Ann, his wife of 54 years in 2020, daughter Laura, who died shortly after birth in 1968, and his brothers Joseph and Robert. He is survived by his son, David of Jacksonville, FL, his brother J. Bart of Ft. Myers, FL, and his sisters-in-law Roberta, Diane, Lee, and Joan Deeley. His brother-in-law Hugh Murphy and his wife Terri of Barefoot Bay, FL, several beloved nieces and nephews,and many cherished friends.

Funeral services for Mr. Deeley will be held on Monday, July 20, 2026, at 11:00 a.m.at Casey’s Eastside Memorial Funeral Home and Cremation Care 1987 East Main St Waterbury CT 06705. Committal services will follow in New St. Joseph’s Cemetery,Waterbury. Relatives and friends are invited to pay their respects and visit with Dave’s family on Monday morning from 9:30 a.m. until the service at 11:00 at the funeral home. To honor Dave’s memory and in lieu of flowers donations to St Jude Children’s Research Hospital at www.stjude.org would be greatly appreciated by his family. In this time of reflection, the family welcomes all who knew and loved Dave to share messages of condolence, comfort, and cherished memories. Please visit the funeral home's tribute page at www.caseyfunerals.com to connect with the family or honor their loved one’s memory with floral arrangements and other gifts.