Thomas W. Van Lenten

Thomas W. Van Lenten passed away peacefully on May 23, 2024, at his home in Ridgefield, CT at the age of 90. Tom was born on April 4, 1934, in Paterson, NJ, the son of Agnes and Walter Van Lenten, longtime residents of Danbury, CT. His family moved to Danbury in 1939 and he graduated from Danbury High School in 1951. 

Tom was employed in the construction industry until January 1954 when he was inducted into the U.S. Army and served overseas until 1956. Upon returning from the service, he attended and graduated from the University of Bridgeport (1959) and then earned his law degree from the University of Connecticut School of Law in 1962. After graduation, Tom was admitted to practice before the Connecticut State Bar and Federal Bar. He then joined the Danbury law firm of Sherwood, Hull, and Pinney in September 1962 and became a partner in the firm Pinney, Hull, Payne and Van Lenten in 1964. He has been employed by that firm, or its successors, until the present time. During Tom’s law career, he served as Secretary and Director of the Danbury Bar Association, Secretary and Director of the Danbury Hospital, Director of the Danbury Savings & Loan Association, Town Counsel to the Town of Ridgefield, and General Counsel to the Schaghticoke Tribal Nation of Kent, CT.

Tom is survived by his wife of 64 years, Priscilla (Hetzel) Van Lenten, and their three children, John Henry Van Lenten (Marian), Jennifer Audley (David), and Cindy Knowlton (Reid). He was a proud grandfather of five grandchildren. He is also survived by his older sister, Ann Spooner.

Family and friends will be received on Wednesday, May 29, 2024, from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM at Kane Funeral Home, at 25 Catoonah Street, Ridgefield. Interment will take place privately.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Danbury Hospital for its general purposes.