Thomas J. Smeriglio, Sr.

Thomas J. Smeriglio Sr., 97, of Pinellas Park, FL (formerly Ridgefield, CT for nearly 50 years), died peacefully in his sleep on July 16, 2025 at his new home in Newtown.

Tom was born in Greenwich, CT on December 12, 1927; a son of the late Thomas and Caroline (Malaterra) Smeriglio. He grew up in Cos Cob and was active in sports, later playing for both the Football and Baseball teams at Greenwich High School, as a member of the class of 1946.

After graduating high school, Tom enlisted in the US Army. Once he completed basic training he was transferred to Camp Stoneman in California, then as a part of the 20th Infantry to Korea where he served until 1948. There, he obtained the rank of Sergeant as a Mortar NCO, leading a squad responsible for the operation, maintenance and tactical employment of mortar systems.  

After receiving his honorable discharge, Tom returned to Connecticut where he met and married the love of his life, the most beautiful girl in the world, Elizabeth “Betty” McLeod. They lived in Stamford where he began working for the Borden Milk Company as a milkman. In 1959, with their two young children in tow, they took a leap of faith and purchased land to build their home on Seymour Lane in Ridgefield.  

While in Ridgefield he tended bar at King Neptune Restaurant, where his daughter was also a hostess in high school. It was there that he became close to the Chelednik and Orrico families and, in 1975, they joined together on a business venture to open a new restaurant in Danbury called Toby Jug.  

As co-owner with King Neptune’s George, Joe and Fred, Tom was in charge of the day-to-day and became the face of the restaurant until it’s closing in 1993. He held the Toby Jug and everyone who worked there close to his heart and frequently reminisced about the good times. Throughout his later life it brought him so much pride and joy when he would cross paths with someone who remembered his restaurant.

He was always outside in the yard; a self-taught expert gardener with a meticulously landscaped home, who could grow any vegetable and bring any plant back to life.  He was a frequent player and watcher of golf and loved to go fishing.

During his time in Ridgefield, he was a devoted member of the American Legion and the Italian American Mutual Aid Society and volunteered at dozens of community events throughout the years. He marched in every Memorial Day Parade, and was a member of Jesse Lee Memorial United Methodist Church, where he would volunteer cooking while his wife made apple pies at the Yankee Peddler Fair.

In 2005 Tom and his wife made the decision to relocate to Pinellas Park, FL where they lived in an amazing community, surrounded by the best friends and neighbors anyone could ask for. He enjoyed visits from his family, attending community events at the club house, cooking for his neighbors, and would volunteer his time cooking for the homeless and helping people in need. He greatly enjoyed sitting outside on his patio or by his garage so he could interact with neighbors as they walked by and always had dog treats at-the-ready for when the neighborhood dogs stopped by during their walks.

When his wife’s health began to decline due to Alzheimer’s that required her to have extra care, Tom was loyally by her side for 8 hours a day without fail for 2 years, until she passed in 2019; a true testament and example of love and loyalty, and what it means to honor your vows. An inspiration to us all. 

Just 6 weeks ago Tom made the decision to be closer to family and relocated back to Connecticut, residing at Church Hill Village in Newtown.  While he didn’t get to spend as much time in Connecticut as expected, he was close to family, got to eat all his favorite foods that were “so much better in Connecticut than in Florida”, and was very happy to be home.

Tom was preceded in death by his dear wife Betty Smeriglio (McLeod), and his grandson Alexander Smeriglio. He is survived by his loving daughter Jane Swiatek (Smeriglio) of Ridgefield, his sister Carolyn Delfino (Smeriglio) of Monroe, his granddaughter Christine Swiatek and her longtime partner Jonathan Podolak of Monroe, granddaughter Lacey Barboza (Smeriglio) of Jewett City and her children / his great grandchildren Saeri and Camron Barboza, niece Lori Buchetto (Delfino) and her husband Michael of Wakefield, RI, several great nieces and nephews and so many incredible friends who he considered family. He has one son, Tom Smeriglio of Ridgefield. 

Tom insisted that he not have a funeral, and out of respect for his wishes a private reception for family and close friends will be held at a later date. Tom was deeply devoted to God and country.  

In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory can be made to the American Legion Post 78, 71 North Salem Road, Ridgefield CT 06877 or Calvary Chapel, 8900 US Hwy 19 N Pinellas Park, FL 33782, http://calvarystp.org