Dr Thomas Joseph Plona, 66, of New Milford died peacefully at home May 31, after a short but valiant battle with cancer. He was born September 5, 1948, and was the son of Jean (Gwaizda) and Vincent Plona.

His wife of 45 years, Patricia; his daughters Bridget, and her husband James Hartigan, Sr, of Newtown, and Rebecca Plona of Farmington; four beloved grandchildren, Anna, James, Emma, and Kaitlyn; his brothers and their wives, Vince and Karen Plona of Bloomfield, and Hank and Verna Plona of Stafford Springs; his sister Jane Plona of Simsbury; and his brothers-in-laws and their wives, Jack and Terri Trainor, and David and Donna Trainor, survive Dr Plona. His extended family includes more than 30 nieces and grandnieces, nephews and grandnephews, and many, many cousins.

Known to his family as “Boppa,” Dr Plona was renowned for his boundless enthusiasm and zest for life, but more than anything, he was defined and sustained by his love for his family, most particularly his wife.

He grew up in Tarriffville, and married his high school sweetheart on December 27, 1969. He earned his bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Providence College, and his doctorate in physics from Georgetown University, settling in New Milford to raise his family in 1976. He spent his professional years as a geoacoustical physicist with Schlumberger-Doll, later retiring to become a full-time grandfather and to finally master golf. In his free moments between those two commitments, he and his wife traveled frequently, visiting family and friends across the country.

Dr Plona was a championship baseball pitcher in his youth, and both a beloved softball coach and longtime commissioner of New Milford Girls’ Softball. In his work at Schlumberger, he received seven patents for various innovations, and was cited as an inspiration in a paper written by a Nobel Prize winner. He earned a lifetime achievement award from the Geoacoustical Society of America and, perhaps more important to him, numerous golf trophies, especially for sportsmanship.

Dr Plona was known for his intense personality and many interests. He was passionate about rocks and trees, especially the American chestnut, and the dramatic beauty of the Southwest. He loved music in all forms, from old-time rock and roll to bluegrass to the Wiggles. He wrote a song for each of his grandchildren when they were born. He loved the UConn Huskies — especially the women’s team — and was passionate about playing, talking about, and teaching others to play golf. He loved sunsets, the night sky, and the Aurora Borealis. Dr Plona enjoyed art and once ran to a museum during a flight layover just to see a painting with his own eyes. Disney World was his favorite place to visit.

A mass of Christian burial will be celebrated Thursday, June 4, at 11 am, at St Bernard’s Church, 7 Maple Street, Tariffville. Interment will follow in St Bernard’s Cemetery in Tariffville. Calling hours will take place Wednesday, June 3, from 5 to 8 pm, at the Lillis Funeral Home, 58 Bridge Street, New Milford. The family requests that attendees wear bright and joyous colors, in honor of Dr Plona’s bright and joyous spirit.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial donations be made to the Plant a Tree program of the American Chestnut Foundation at http://acf.donorshops.com/products/donatetotacf.php or at 50 North Merrimon Avenue, Suite 115, Asheville NC 28804.