Obituary of Tudor Dima

Tudor Dima, age 86, of Oxford, beloved husband of Florica Paunescu Dima, passed away on Thursday, May 9, 2019.

Born in Durostor, Bulgaria on September 24, 1932, son of the late Mihai and Domnica Teja Dima, Tudor spent most of his life in Romania and emigrated to the United States in 1993, where he lived in Bronx, New York, until moving to Connecticut thirteen years ago. While in Romania, Tudor worked at a law firm as an attorney. He had a great appreciation and love for soccer and spent many successful years as a first division player at a very high performance level. After he retired as a pro player, Tudor has coached several soccer clubs in Romania, as well as Ripensia New York in the Northeast Division US Soccer league.

Tudor, or "Tody, the counselor" as known to all his family and close friends-was an avid reader and seeker of knowledge. He strongly believed in the power of the written word, and always found himself writing down his thoughts, memories, ideas and beloved numbers. Often, he would write these on tiny sticky notes that we would find everywhere in the house and try to decipher-sometimes to no avail. A man of few words, he always found the right ones to comfort and counsel, which was his mission in life.

Though serious in nature, "Tody" possessed a lively sense of humor, which would often take people by surprise. It will come up in those light moments when he enjoyed his beloved word games, checkers, backgammon and canasta with others in social circles. Most of all, he treasured the times spent with his family, especially teaching and coaching soccer to his grandsons-Michael and Matthew. Saturday mornings would often find them on the lawn practicing drills and bonding. His voice was always animated and full of energy.

Tudor loved his family dearly. He was a dedicated husband to his beloved wife, Florica, who was always by his side, and who will miss him dearly. A proud and simple family man, he loved his only son, Michael, beyond words, and without boundaries. Tudor was a strongly spiritual person, and his faith in God carried him through a life that was filled with love, joy, laughter and accomplishments. Mornings and evenings he will quietly say his prayers, and then kiss the beloved cross that will accompany him in the afterlife of light and no suffering. A loving husband, father and grandfather, he will be greatly missed.

In addition to his wife Florica, he is survived by his son, Michael Dima and his wife Diana of Oxford, his precious grandsons Michael Dima, Jr and Matthew Dima, a brother, Atanasie Dima of Romania as well as many nieces and nephews both in the United States and Romania.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, May 11 at 11 am in the Lesko & Polke Funeral Home, 1209 Post Rd., Fairfield Center with burial to follow in Lakeview Cemetery, Bridgeport. Friends may call on Saturday from 10 am until the time of services. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Dimitrie Orthodox Church, 504 Sport Hill Rd., Easton, Ct. 06612. May his memory be Eternal.