Thomas James Molnar

Thomas James Molnar (“Tom”), age 81, entered into rest on Sunday, December 7, 2025, surrounded by his family and his loving wife. Tom was the devoted husband of Loretta “Lori” (Tammone) Molnar for 57 years—many of which were spent raising their family in Cheshire, CT. He shared a wonderful, lifelong bond with the neighbors and friends on Argyle Road, where countless memories were created and cherished.

Born in Potsdam, NY, on October 30, 1944, Tom was the son of the late Simon and Leonore (Rutherford) Molnar. He attended Clarkson University, graduating in 1967 with a degree in engineering, and later earned an MBA from Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio. Tom proudly served in the U.S. Army and was honorably discharged.

Tom enjoyed a respected 40-year career in the steel industry. He began as a trainee and rose through marketing and sales roles before being promoted to management at the Allegheny Ludlum foundry in Wallingford, CT. His strong relationships and professional success led him to Gibbs Wire and Steel, where he served as Vice President of Sales and concluded his career working closely with the Gibbs family. His work took him across the country and around the world—to Europe, Brazil, China, and beyond—and he loved sharing stories from his travels with family and friends.

A lifelong athlete, Tom had a deep passion for sports. He was a point guard on his high school basketball team and a left-handed pitcher on the baseball field. Golf, however, was his enduring love. A dedicated and skilled player, Tom maintained a single-digit handicap for many years and won several club championships throughout his life.

Family was Tom’s greatest joy. He was endlessly proud of his grandchildren and delighted in attending Jake’s baseball games, watching Maggie play ice hockey, cooking with Emmie and Allie, and enjoying their musical performances. He treasured family dinners and celebrations, road trips to visit relatives or see his children in college, summers spent boating on Long Island Sound, and family ski trips to Vermont. In retirement, Tom and Lori cherished their winters in Naples, FL, enjoying well-earned time together on the beach. The two shared a love of cooking and even traveled to Italy to deepen their culinary skills—one of their favorite pastimes together.

Tom is survived by his loving wife, Lori; his children, Chris Molnar and his wife, Reneé, of Guilford, and Kate Samela and her husband, Brian, of West Hartford; his cherished grandchildren, Jake and Maggie Samela and Allie and Emmie Molnar; and his brother, John Molnar, of Ogdensburg, NY.

Friends are invited to greet the family at Alderson-Ford Funeral Home of Cheshire, 615 South Main Street, Cheshire, CT 06410, on Sunday, December 28, 2025, from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM. A Celebration of Life will begin at 12:00 PM. Burial will be private at the convenience of the family.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Tom’s memory to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at www.stjude.org. Online condolences may be shared at www.fordfh.com