Captain Tom Conine – A Life Well Lived

A few months short of celebrating a milestone, his 100th birthday, my Uncle – Captain Tom Conine ? passed away to the great seafood market in the sky. He lived life large and without fear. He relished every life challenge and visited extraordinary locales in all parts of the world.  His impact across nearly a century of living was felt by countless people, ranging from family and friends to loyal Milford Seafood customers and virtual unknowns with whom he crossed paths in his life’s journey.   

People were easily drawn to him and enjoyed his company. His infectious smile was contagious and broke down barriers. Rooms lit up when he entered, with a personality that was interesting, inquisitive and highly entertaining.

I learned a lot about my uncle through my mom. Although I am a Field through and through, there is considerable Conine blood running in my veins. My mother looked up to her brother. Countless times she regaled with stories about him at our dinner table. I enjoyed the often repeated account where she waxed poetically about Uncle Tom leaving the Taft School because he missed being home and debating with his dad, my beloved Grampy. That story still has considerable life even to this day in our home. It never gets old as it keeps the spirit of my mom alive. It’s an example of the way that Uncle Tom touched our lives. 

An unpretentious free spirit, Uncle Tom would never fit in with a white-collar career in the corporate world. Being an entrepreneur was the life for him. Like his father, he was made to work with his hands as a fishmonger.   In the 40’s, he struck out on his own and opened Milford Seafood. It wasn’t an instant success. There were lean years, but he always believed in himself. Little did he know that the seeds were being planted for what is today the Stonebridge brand enterprise. In many ways in the 50’s through the 80’s, Milford Seafood served as the gateway into downtown Milford. Striding around town, Uncle Tom was very much like a modern-day George Bailey. 

Many of us did a turn at Milford Seafood. My dad helped out when times were tough. Uncle Tom’s nephew Chuck turned out more stuffed clams than we could count – his arms never stopping as he filled shell after shell.   The bluefish my Dad and I caught trolling on Long Island Sound garnered us 20 cents a pound, helping to pay for gas and the boat slip.   Family discounts meant that seafood was cheaper than meat in the Field household. Swordfish, halibut and sole were everyday dinners thanks to Uncle Tom.   Milford Seafood was a fabric of our lives in small but meaningful ways. 

To borrow a line from George W. Bush’s eulogy of his dad, Captain Tom had only one speed, and it was full throttle. He didn’t do small. Tom and his wife Isabelle visited nearly every country in the world. At one point, he was on first-name basis with the Captain of the QE II, often times visiting the bridge. His personal motto could have been, “A low profile is no profile.” If you were fortunate to know Uncle Tom, that was a good thing. 

This extraordinary drive and passion have carried through to both his sons, Tom and Rich, as well to his grandchildren now involved in the Stonebridge business. His DNA is resident in both his sons. They all share his personality and boundless energy. They’ve taken all his attributes and built truly great brands on their own. The foundation of the incredible success of Stonebridge Restaurant is very much grounded in who Tom Conine was as both a businessman and professional. His spirit is sure to continue on, even though he has passed. Any time someone raises a glass at Stonebridge he’ll be smiling down with pride, just as he enjoyed his share of adult beverages

Who wouldn’t sign up to live to be 100, especially with the good health he enjoyed up to the end?  His lesson to all of us would be to live life to the fullest each and every day. Always be an optimist. Smile a lot and light up a room. Have a big laugh. See the good in people. Here’s to smooth sailing Captain Tom. Wishing you nothing but red skies at night.