1931 – 2019

FREEPORT – Thomas A. Brockway, a longtime resident of Freeport, Maine, and most recently a resident of Orange Park, Florida, passed away on Wednesday, May 15, 2019, surrounded by his family, at McGraw Center for Caring in Jacksonville, Fla.

Thomas was born on Nov. 6, 1931. He attended St. Margaret Catholic School and Aviation High School in New York. Thomas served in the U.S. Navy, having served during the Korean War, and then worked civil service for more than 32 years in management of supply services at Brunswick Naval Air Station. Following retirement, he worked for a period of time for Olympia Sports. ln October 1955, Thomas married Emily Joan Sawyer and enjoyed 61 years of marriage together. They made their home and raised their family in Freeport. They enjoyed camping, snowmobiling, traveling, music, dancing and spending time socializing with friends and family.

ln the latter part of their life together they had moved to Orange Park, Fla.  Having lost Emily in 2016, Thomas continued to live independently in their Florida home, which he enjoyed very much.

Thomas was very active as a Mason, having become Grand Master of the Freeport Lodge #23; he was also a member of the Kora Temple in Lewiston. He was a very dedicated member of the Freeport Fire & Rescue for many years and was a faithful blood donor for the American Red Cross. He was a member of Toastmasters.

Thomas is survived by his daughter, Sherry Duncan and husband, Steve, of Fleming Island, Fla.; son, Mark Brockway and partner, Jackie Downing, of Freeport; daughter, Kimberly Swasey and husband, Steve, of Andover; and daughter, Wendy Rowe and husband, David, of Union. Grandchildren include, Erica, Chad, Matthew, Katrina, Christopher and Andrew. Great-grandchildren include, Haylie, Garrett, Preston, Dylan and Baylee. He is also survived by his sister, Jeanette Bencivenga of Elmont, N.Y. He was predeceased by his wife, Emily J. (Sawyer) Brockway.

Thomas lived a full life and received the gift of life, having had a double lung transplant in 2008 in Tampa, Fla. He was the second oldest recipient of organ (lung) donation in Florida, which gave him several more years to enjoy his life with friends and family.

Visiting hours will be held from 6-8 p.m., Wednesday, May 22, at Stetson’s Funeral Home 12 Federal St., Brunswick. A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m., Thursday, May 23, at the funeral home with the Rev. Gordon Cook officiating. Interment will follow in Burr Cemetery in Freeport. Memorial condolences may be expressed at stetsonsfuneralhome.com