WATERBURY- It is with profound sadness that the family of Mr. Thomas Lanese, age 64, of Waterbury, shares the news of his peaceful passing on Friday, January 30, 2026, at Saint Mary’s Hospital, surrounded by the love of his family.

Thomas was born on November 15, 1961, in Waterbury, CT, the son of the late Vincent James and Dorothy (LaPlante) Lanese. He attended local schools, worked as a tow truck driver for Eastwood Towing for over 10 years, and served as a forklift operator at Myers Machine Removal for over 7 years. His love for life was evident in the simple pleasures he cherished, including fishing, trips to Mount Tom, and cooking, often serving his signature dish of sausage, peppers, and sauce over pasta, which was a favorite among family and friends. An avid news watcher, Thomas enjoyed staying informed about the world around him and loved engaging in conversations with family and friends, often through long phone calls that brought laughter and connection into their lives. He will be deeply missed by all those who were blessed to know and love him.

Left to cherish his memory and honor his legacy is his significant other of 26 years, Virginia Vezina, his daughter, Melissa Lemos, and his stepchildren, Angela Vezina, David Bouffard, and Pamela Vezina. Thomas leaves his beloved grandson, Brady Lemos; his siblings, Patricia (Michael) Marrone, Joy Ferrone, Arlene (Anthony) Corsi, Robert (Carol) Lanese, and James (Lorraine) Lanese; best friends Mike and Vinny; and extended family and friends. Thomas was predeceased by his brother, Vincent Lanese, and his sister, Marlene Affe.

Funeral services for Thomas will be held on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, at 11:00 a.m., when a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Our Lady of Lourdes Church, 313 S. Main St, Waterbury, CT. Those planning to attend are kindly asked to meet directly at the church. Burial will be held privately at the convenience of his family; there are no calling hours. Casey’s Eastside Memorial Funeral Home and Cremation Care, 1987 East Main Street, Waterbury, CT 06705, has been honored to care for the Lanese family during this difficult time. It only takes a moment to send a message of condolence, words of comfort, or share a memory with the family and friends of someone important to you. Please visit the funeral home's tribute page at www.caseyfunerals.com to do so. To send a memorial gift to the family, please visit the funeral home website at www.caseyfunerals.com.