Artical Published Feb 11, 2007
Former Norwich Legislator recalled
By Jessica Durkin
Norwich Bulletin
Norwich-- About 100 mourners remembered former state Rep. Thomas Sweeney Saturday at a funeral Mass.
A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial was held at the Cathedral of St. Patrick for Sweeney, 72, who died of cancer Monday at The William W. Backus Hospital.
Inside the church, an urn containing Sweeney's ashes was placed next to a military portraite of the ex-Marine and a bouquet of white flowers.
Sweeney, a Democrat, served as Norwich's state representative in Hartford for 18 years, losing his bid for re=election to a 10th term in 1984.
State Rep. Melissa Olson, D-Norwich, who occupies the seat Sweeney once held, attended Saturday's service
"I had many conversations with Tom before i was elected and after," Olson said. " The constituents were always his concrens, even after he was no longer state representative. He cared very deeply for Norwich.
"He did so much for the city of Norwich in setting the stage for growth that we have," Olson said.
Sweeney is credited with securing public and priveate projects that have led to the city's renaissance. He won the funding to start the Norwich Business Park, allowing the city to lure businesses that have created jobs and added to the tax base.
Monsignor Anthony Rosaforte led a prayer and short eulogy, recounting Sweeney's military and public service.
"It seems clear Tom lived to help other people," Rosaforte said.
Thomas F. Kirker Sr. of Norwich, a longtime friend of sweeney, said he worked with Sweeney when Kirker was with the state Department of Transportation. Kirker said Sweeney was instrumental in pushing through projects for teh area.
"I think becouse he was very personable, he was dedicated to accomplishing good things here in southeastern Connecticut," Kirker said.
Steve Guiney of New London, a Sweeney relative, said he remembered Sweeney as " soft-spoken and the nicest guy i knew."
In 1996, the Yantic River Bridge on Route 32 was dedicated to Sweeney, He was instrumental in getting state funding for its construction.
Sweeney's funeral procession stopped at the bridge, which was decorated with a shamrock Sarurday. Sweeney was burried in Maple Cemetery.
Former Norwich Legislator recalled
By Jessica Durkin
Norwich Bulletin
Norwich-- About 100 mourners remembered former state Rep. Thomas Sweeney Saturday at a funeral Mass.
A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial was held at the Cathedral of St. Patrick for Sweeney, 72, who died of cancer Monday at The William W. Backus Hospital.
Inside the church, an urn containing Sweeney's ashes was placed next to a military portraite of the ex-Marine and a bouquet of white flowers.
Sweeney, a Democrat, served as Norwich's state representative in Hartford for 18 years, losing his bid for re=election to a 10th term in 1984.
State Rep. Melissa Olson, D-Norwich, who occupies the seat Sweeney once held, attended Saturday's service
"I had many conversations with Tom before i was elected and after," Olson said. " The constituents were always his concrens, even after he was no longer state representative. He cared very deeply for Norwich.
"He did so much for the city of Norwich in setting the stage for growth that we have," Olson said.
Sweeney is credited with securing public and priveate projects that have led to the city's renaissance. He won the funding to start the Norwich Business Park, allowing the city to lure businesses that have created jobs and added to the tax base.
Monsignor Anthony Rosaforte led a prayer and short eulogy, recounting Sweeney's military and public service.
"It seems clear Tom lived to help other people," Rosaforte said.
Thomas F. Kirker Sr. of Norwich, a longtime friend of sweeney, said he worked with Sweeney when Kirker was with the state Department of Transportation. Kirker said Sweeney was instrumental in pushing through projects for teh area.
"I think becouse he was very personable, he was dedicated to accomplishing good things here in southeastern Connecticut," Kirker said.
Steve Guiney of New London, a Sweeney relative, said he remembered Sweeney as " soft-spoken and the nicest guy i knew."
In 1996, the Yantic River Bridge on Route 32 was dedicated to Sweeney, He was instrumental in getting state funding for its construction.
Sweeney's funeral procession stopped at the bridge, which was decorated with a shamrock Sarurday. Sweeney was burried in Maple Cemetery.
Artical Published Feb 11, 2007
Former Norwich Legislator recalled
By Jessica Durkin
Norwich Bulletin
Norwich-- About 100 mourners remembered former state Rep. Thomas Sweeney Saturday at a funeral Mass.
A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial was held at the Cathedral of St. Patrick for Sweeney, 72, who died of cancer Monday at The William W. Backus Hospital.
Inside the church, an urn containing Sweeney's ashes was placed next to a military portraite of the ex-Marine and a bouquet of white flowers.
Sweeney, a Democrat, served as Norwich's state representative in Hartford for 18 years, losing his bid for re=election to a 10th term in 1984.
State Rep. Melissa Olson, D-Norwich, who occupies the seat Sweeney once held, attended Saturday's service
"I had many conversations with Tom before i was elected and after," Olson said. " The constituents were always his concrens, even after he was no longer state representative. He cared very deeply for Norwich.
"He did so much for the city of Norwich in setting the stage for growth that we have," Olson said.
Sweeney is credited with securing public and priveate projects that have led to the city's renaissance. He won the funding to start the Norwich Business Park, allowing the city to lure businesses that have created jobs and added to the tax base.
Monsignor Anthony Rosaforte led a prayer and short eulogy, recounting Sweeney's military and public service.
"It seems clear Tom lived to help other people," Rosaforte said.
Thomas F. Kirker Sr. of Norwich, a longtime friend of sweeney, said he worked with Sweeney when Kirker was with the state Department of Transportation. Kirker said Sweeney was instrumental in pushing through projects for teh area.
"I think becouse he was very personable, he was dedicated to accomplishing good things here in southeastern Connecticut," Kirker said.
Steve Guiney of New London, a Sweeney relative, said he remembered Sweeney as " soft-spoken and the nicest guy i knew."
In 1996, the Yantic River Bridge on Route 32 was dedicated to Sweeney, He was instrumental in getting state funding for its construction.
Sweeney's funeral procession stopped at the bridge, which was decorated with a shamrock Sarurday. Sweeney was burried in Maple Cemetery.
Former Norwich Legislator recalled
By Jessica Durkin
Norwich Bulletin
Norwich-- About 100 mourners remembered former state Rep. Thomas Sweeney Saturday at a funeral Mass.
A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial was held at the Cathedral of St. Patrick for Sweeney, 72, who died of cancer Monday at The William W. Backus Hospital.
Inside the church, an urn containing Sweeney's ashes was placed next to a military portraite of the ex-Marine and a bouquet of white flowers.
Sweeney, a Democrat, served as Norwich's state representative in Hartford for 18 years, losing his bid for re=election to a 10th term in 1984.
State Rep. Melissa Olson, D-Norwich, who occupies the seat Sweeney once held, attended Saturday's service
"I had many conversations with Tom before i was elected and after," Olson said. " The constituents were always his concrens, even after he was no longer state representative. He cared very deeply for Norwich.
"He did so much for the city of Norwich in setting the stage for growth that we have," Olson said.
Sweeney is credited with securing public and priveate projects that have led to the city's renaissance. He won the funding to start the Norwich Business Park, allowing the city to lure businesses that have created jobs and added to the tax base.
Monsignor Anthony Rosaforte led a prayer and short eulogy, recounting Sweeney's military and public service.
"It seems clear Tom lived to help other people," Rosaforte said.
Thomas F. Kirker Sr. of Norwich, a longtime friend of sweeney, said he worked with Sweeney when Kirker was with the state Department of Transportation. Kirker said Sweeney was instrumental in pushing through projects for teh area.
"I think becouse he was very personable, he was dedicated to accomplishing good things here in southeastern Connecticut," Kirker said.
Steve Guiney of New London, a Sweeney relative, said he remembered Sweeney as " soft-spoken and the nicest guy i knew."
In 1996, the Yantic River Bridge on Route 32 was dedicated to Sweeney, He was instrumental in getting state funding for its construction.
Sweeney's funeral procession stopped at the bridge, which was decorated with a shamrock Sarurday. Sweeney was burried in Maple Cemetery.
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