Thomas E. Spivey, Sr., 83, of Branford died Aug. 19 at the Hospital of St. Raphael Campus, Yale New Haven Hospital. He was the husband of the late Raphaela “Rae” Cicio Spivey. Thomas was born in New Haven March 17, 1939, son of the late Linwood and Agnes Griffin Spivey.

He enlisted in the U. S. Navy at 17 years old and served on the destroyer USS Blandy and has a place in history as one who stood Honor Guard over the Unknown Soldier of World War II, as the remains were carried home across the Atlantic. He worked as an electrician with IBEW Local 90 for 55 years. He was also a member of the Branford Elks Club. He always had a story to tell about one of his adventures in the Navy or one of the jobs he worked on, or brag about one of his many grandchildren of whom he was extremely proud.

Thomas is survived by his children, Mark M. Spivey (Mary Neal-Spivey) of Cromwell, Linda Mitchell (Jeff Buggee), Thomas E. Spivey, Jr. (Juliann), and Karin Lopez (Al), all of Branford; his grandchildren, Ashley, Zachary, Joshua, Luke, Mackenzie, Abigail, Spencer, Andrew, and Kate; and his great-grandchildren, Melissa and Chelsea. He is also survived by his sister-in-law Marie Spivey of Hamden; his brother-in-law Thomas Farrell of East Haven; and his brother and sister-in-law, Phillip and Sharon Cicio of Westbrook. He was predeceased by his brothers, Linwood and William Spivey; and his sister-in-law Jo-Ann Farrell.

Friends called on Aug.24 at W. S. Clancy Memorial Funeral Home, 244 North Main Street, Branford, followed by a procession for a Mass of Christian Burial in St. John Bosco Parish at St. Mary Church, 731 Main Street, Branford. Burial followed in St. Agnes Cemetery with Military Honors. For online memorial see www.wsclancy.com.