Thomas K. Blaszkowski, 91, of Wakefield, RI, passed away on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, at the Scallop Shell Advinia Nursing Facility after a brief illness. Tom was born in Mt. Pleasant, PA to the late Maxamillion P. and Helen M. (Falat) Blaszkowski. Tom was devoted to and leaves behind his best friend, partner and wife, Nancy A. Tucker.

Tom is also survived by his beloved sister, Maxine and her sons, Stephen and “Jak”, and her daughter Cari, and several grand nieces and nephews. He also became a much-loved uncle to Steven, Susan and Michael and their children. Tom stated that he loved all of Nancy’s relatives but established a very close bond to the three grandnephew Shea brothers, William, Aidan and Dylan. Tom always enjoyed their visits and the lunch dates where he could provide them with “words of wisdom” and “Polish sense of humor”. In Dylan’s words, “The man was a genuine legend in my mind and always will be”. William wrote, “He has moved on, he will never move out of our hearts and the memories we will always remember. Tom was predeceased by his brother, Andrew Blaszkowski.

After High School graduation, Tom enlisted in the Navy and remained a proud Navy Veteran – June 1952-1960. Tom went on to earn his bachelor’s degree in pharmacology from Duquesne University, his master’s from the University of Pittsburg, and his PhD in Pharmacology from URI. Following his graduation in 1969, Tom moved to Maryland and became a health scientist administrator at the National Institutes of Health, Heart, Blood and Lung Institute, where he remained for over thirty years. In 2000, Tom moved to Rhode Island to be with Nancy on a permanent basis. Together, they cruised with friends and relatives to the Caribbean and a final cruise to Alaska. Tom enjoyed reading and was versed in many subjects. He possessed “How To” books that would probably fill a small library.

Tom especially enjoyed a tradition of many years that brought his family and the Kelanic and Zik families to Rhode Island. Approximately fourteen of Tom’s relatives traveled from Pennsylvania, Illinois and Washington state and rented a home at Sand Hill Cove, where feasts of lobster, fish, and scallops were on the menu. That tradition continued for several years, until the young grandnieces and nephews were in school. However, every time Tom and Nancy drove by that house, they would reminisce about the great times that were shared there.

To acknowledge his love for Nancy, Tom decided to establish a scholarship in her name at the University of Rhode Island in the College of Nursing. He also wanted to recognize her many years as an executive assistant to the Dean of the College of Nursing.

Also, with sincere appreciation, Nancy wishes to acknowledge all of the friends and relatives who have been so supportive during Tom’s illness.

Tom will be sorely missed by all those who knew and loved him.

Arrangements are in the care of Avery-Storti Funeral Home, 88 Columbia St. Wakefield, RI 02879. A Visitation will be held on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, from 4-6PM. Burial will be private.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Nancy Tucker Nursing Scholarship in Nursing or the Thomas Blaszkowski Scholarship in Pharmacy and may be mailed to the URI Foundation, PO Box 1700, Kingston, RI 02881.