Tom LoBracco, 84, Port St. Lucie, Fla./ South Colton, NY

SOUTH COLTON -- Tom LoBracco, 84,passed away on February 11, 2024, at his Florida home, surrounded by his family.

After marrying Diane Van Ness in 1996, he considered the North Country his adopted home.

He was born on August 4, 1939, in Brooklyn NY, attended Lincoln HS, and enlisted in the Navy at age 16. He served on the USS Forrestal aircraft carrier as a fireman, and later, at Guantanamo Bay.

After his honorable discharge, Tom learned the plumbing trade in NYC before moving his family to Miami in the late 60's. There, he earned his AA and Master Plumber Certification, enabling him to design and construct major water and gas systems for hospitals, residential, and commercial buildings.

He loved to tell stories about the projects that he,with his beloved little brother Sal, built in the Bahamas while flying back and forth to Miami.

After many years of running his own business, Tom became a Foreman for the Miami Dade County School District, earning the respect of his crew and making lifelong friends.

Tom took up snow skiing at age 50. Naturally athletic, he joined the Miami Ski Club and ventured west to the Colorado slopes. In 1995 while skiing in Vail, he met the love of his life, Diane Van Ness.

Before they married, Diane introduced Tom to a place she loved, Higley Flow. After taking the rowboat for a ride on a sunny morning, Tom was hooked.

Tom and Diane enjoyed 28 years together, and made a good team renovating homes, their biggest project being the loving 18-year restoration of Sunset Lodge, the family camp/boathouse built over the Raquette river in 1940. They renovated another house in South Colton, where they spent the summers.

In 2012 Tom and Diane retired from Miami to Port St. Lucie, Fla. where Tom loved to watch herons, ibis and the occasional gator on his walking path.

In May, it was time to migrate north to his favorite spot on the deck.. Tom’s idea of a good time was to gather family and friends and cook amazing italian food for them. His sauce was to die for.

He always was ready with a quick quip, a joke, a story. Tom brought the love and laughter to every gathering.

Although he never lost his Brooklyn accent, Tom was a diehard Miami Dolphins Fan, and attended every game during their 1972 “Perfect Season”.

A devoted family man, he was exceptionally proud of his accomplished three adult children, Lisa, Vicki and Vincent. He loved being Grandpa to his six grandchildren, and Great Grandpa to his first great-grandson. He was most proud of the fact that his family is a close-knit and loving one, as that was how he raised them to be.

He was predeceased by his parents, and his brother, Sal.

Tom is survived by his wife, Diane Van Ness, Port St. Lucie/South Colton, NY; his children, Lisa (Ray) LoBracco-Smith, Lake Lure, NC/Palm Coast, Fl; Vicki LoBracco Marmin, Palm City, FL; Vincent (Joy) LoBracco, Davie, Fl; Grandchildren Allyson (Wesley) Seat, Alex (Jenna) Smith, Sydney Marmin, Samantha Marmin, Mason LoBracco and Miabella LoBracco; Sister-in-Law Angela LoBracco, Brother-in Law Steven Van Ness, and niece and nephew Tammy and Sal LoBracco.

A celebration of life was held in Florida. A North Country Celebration of Life will be held this summer.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Tom’s memory may be made to the Colton Volunteer Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 304, Colton, NY 13625, or to The American Cancer Society.