Thomas Moran,

Thomas J. Moran Jr., Shelton, CT went home to his Lord, November 15, 2013. Born in Scranton, PA on January 25, 1928, the son of the late Thomas J. Moran Sr. and Florence Riley Moran, he leaves to celebrate his memory his children, Mary Beth Nelsen (Keith), Patricia Moran, Peggy Freeman (Patrick), Tom Moran, Michael Moran (Kate), Susan Kovacs; grandchildren, Matthew Troia (Heidi), Michael Kwiatkowski, Morgan Wolff (Laurel), Kelly Nelsen (Chris), Christian Nelsen, Seth Nelsen, Mary Freeman, Rich Kovacs, Kelly Moran, Michael Moran, Nicholas Kovacs, Emily Kovacs, great-granddaughter, Abbi Moran-Kay, mother of his children Irene Moran, daughter of his heart, Nancy Rogers, and second wife, Harriet Moran. He was predeceased by sister, Carole Moran, daughter, Colleen Taylor, infant children Matthew and Anne, and granddaughter, Renay Troia. A musical prodigy, Tom began playing the piano at age 5 and was invited to attend The Julliard School. At the age of 16 he began touring with The Dorsey Brothers, Glen Miller, Gene Krupa and Benny Goodman. He played in the Connecticut music scene as a regular band member with Frank Wonerowski and Joey Zelle's Casa Ritz Orchestra, the regular club orchestra at the Ritz Ballroom on Bridgeport's Pleasure Beach. He and Irene wrote and produced a number of musicals in Huntington CT where they raised their family. He was the owner of TJ Moran's in Westport for several years, with his piano bar the center of the popular lounge. In recent years as a resident of Gardner Heights, he made a new generation of fans as he continued to dazzle and delight residents, staff and patients with his incredible talent. His gift never left him. There will be a memorial Mass at Church of the Good Shepherd, 135 Mountain Road, Seymour, on Monday, November 25, 11 AM. Tom cared deeply for people whose lives have been shattered by natural disasters. If you are so moved, in lieu of flowers, please make a donation in his name to the Salvation Army to help those affected. The family wishes to thank the staff of Gardner Heights for the love and care they showed him, and for their extraordinary gift to the family in his final hours as they stopped by to share tears and stories of their experiences with Tom. It gave us great comfort and joy to know he had touched so many lives. Tom leaves heirs to his gift of music through family members who inherited his talent. Please remember him in the music of your hearts. "Sing us a song, you're the Piano Man…"