Thomas S. Giuffrida, age 72 of Colts Neck, died at his home on Sunday, March 27.

He was born in Meriden, CT and lived in Middletown CT. Tom attended and met his future wife Janet Murawski in U.S. History Class at Woodrow Wilson High School. He then attended Wesleyan University. After graduation he spent a year at UCONN as a teaching assistant, married Janet, and went on to attend graduate school at M.I.T where he earned his P.H.D in Physics.

During his time at Wesleyan, Tom participated in finding Apollo 13 during the moon landing. At M.I.T he was a research assistant specializing in Astronomy. After earning a M.I.T doctorate degree he joined Bell Labs where he worked for many years and earned a prestigious Bell Labs Fellow award. He led the telecommunication team who developed the first picture phone meeting and was instrumental in cell phone technology.

Tom was a model train enthusiast, he loved to watch old movies, and share stories with his family and friends. He was a member of St. Mary’s Church in Colts Neck, where he volunteered for various activities. Tom eventually started his own company J.R.T. Limited where he felt an important duty was to mentor his employees for success.  Most of all Tom was dedicated to his family.  He was a loving son, brother, husband, father, and grandfather. He would always make time to take his family to the shore, teach his children golf, and spend time with his granddaughter.

Dr. Giuffrida is survived by his wife of 50 years, Janet M. Giuffrida; two children, Frank Giuffrida of West Orange, and Elena Giuffrida of Colts Neck; a granddaughter, Jayda Giuffrida; his siblings, Cos Giuffrida and Helen Landry.

Visitation is Saturday, April l2, 8 am until 9:30 at D’Angelo Funeral Home, 22 South Main Street, Middletown, Ct. 06457.  Mass of Christian burial, Saturday, 155 Washington Street, Middletown, 10 am. Interment to follow at Indian Hill Cemetery.