Thomas M. Freschi

Thomas M. Freschi, aged 88, passed away Wednesday, November 15, 2023 at Wilmington Hospital Center.

Tom was born in Wallingford, CT to the late Joseph and Anna Freschi.  He graduated from Lyman Hall High School in Wallingford and began working a Wallace Silversmiths, Inc. as an Assistant Advertising Product Manager.  He married the love of his life, Phyllis Furman, on June 29, 1963 and two celebrated their 60^th anniversary earlier this year and had two sons, Steven and Michael, whom he cherished.  Their marriage started with an adventure, relocating to Englewood, CO only to be relocated to Lancaster, PA when Wallace was bought by Hamilton Watch Company.  Tom soon chose to start a career as a self-employed, Manufacturers Representative in the Home Goods and Gift industry.  It was a career he had a true passion for and continued to his final days booking appointments for the next Atlanta Market Gift Show.  He was a fixture at this show and others across the country.   Throughout his career he worked with a number of great companies, but it was always the people he met and the friendships and relationships he built over the years that meant the most to him.  Some may still remember his annual Garage Sale of Salesman Samples on Altamont Drive before the holidays or the Glass Resort Outlet store formerly in Wilmington and at the Rehoboth Beach Outlets – He felt it was a service to offer quality products at a low price. His love for Walt Disney and Mickey Mouse was well known and evidenced by his many figurines, his Mickey Mouse watch, and a 6-foot stuffed Mickey that he could never quite come to part with.  This love led to him taking his family on several trips to the Magic Kingdom in Orlando and making many lasting, happy memories.  Tom and Phyllis also enjoyed traveling, including to their timeshare in Aruba and numerous cruises with neighborhood friends.   He adored his 3 grandchildren, and took great pride in all that they achieved and the people they had become.  Tom loved the time spent at their beach house in Bethany Beach, whether it was hosting family, chatting with neighborhood friends, or sitting on the deck enjoying the view.  They had a place in Bethany for over 50 years and it truly was a second home.  Tom’s sense of humor was notorious to all who knew him and never faded, as was his loyalty and integrity as a person, husband, parent, grandparent friend, and businessperson.  He was bigger than life and will be greatly missed.

Tom is survived by his loving wife, Phyllis, his sons Steven (Regina) Freschi of Ashburn, VA and Michael Freschi of Chicago, IL; 3 grandchildren, Mary Caitlin Freschi of Chicago, IL, 1LT William Horan Freschi stationed in Tacoma, WA, and Thomas Forest Freschi of Ashburn, VA; Brothers Joseph (Phyllis) Freschi of Wallingford, CT and David (Debi) Freschi of Hookset, NH.

A private mass of Christian burial will be held at St. Mary Magdalen Church on Saturday, November 25,  2023. Tom will be buried at Gates of Heaven Cemetery in Dagsboro, DE.  Burial will be private. The Mass will be live streamed at the following link: https://www.youtube.com/live/ZhKdqJ7slN4?si=tQyf4rBoJFR0JKg-

Tom’s family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations in his memory be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.