Thomas J. Raub passed away peacefully at his home in Milton, Vt., surrounded by family, on January 31, 2026, at the age of 89.
Tom was born on October 10, 1936, in Rochester, N.Y., and was raised in Elmira, N.Y., by his parents, Rose and Charles Raub. It was in Elmira where he would meet the love of his life, Georgene (Georgie) Bridgeman. The two married on June 23, 1956, beginning a 69-year partnership and starting their family, which grew to include a daughter and two sons, five grandchildren, and one great-grandson.
After graduating from Alfred Tech in 1956, Tom began his 31-year career at IBM in Endicott, N.Y., where he also served with the fire department and as president of the local Jaycees. He transferred to IBM in Essex Junction, Vt., in 1966, bringing his family to the Green Mountain State. He served on the Essex Junction Fire Department and alongside his wife, Georgie, on the Madonna Mountain (now Smugglers’ Notch) Ski Patrol from 1968 to 1985. Tom and Georgie were founding members of Essex Rescue, where they served from 1971 to 1981 and taught many first aid, CPR and EMT training courses. After retiring from IBM, Tom worked in commercial real estate at Hickock & Boardman from 1987 to 2016. He was also an active member of the Colchester Rotary from 1990 until his passing. His dedication to helping others extended to serving on the board of directors for Sail Beyond Cancer, an organization close to the family’s heart, from 2022 until his passing.
Tom spent countless years competitively sailing with his family on Lake Champlain with the Malletts Bay Boat Club after roping his entire family into the sailing scene. He remained active well into his later years, often playing basketball and competing as a senior Olympian in multiple events. Tom and Georgie were devoted University of Vermont “Lady Cats” basketball fans, regularly traveling out of state to cheer on the team. They were also active members of the Colchester Community Chorus for many years. He and Georgie made the most of their golden years, owning a series of RVs for their cross-country adventures.
While Georgie was the warmth and heart of the Raub family, Tom was the steady rock and patriarch. He had an extraordinary ability to bring people together and instilled in his family values of community involvement, adventure and making the most of every moment, a legacy to be carried on in all those who knew him.
Tom is survived by his daughter, Linda (Raub) Noyes, and husband Scott Noyes; and son Thomas C. Raub and late wife Cheryl (Bouchard) Raub. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Kristin Raub and husband Dylan Scholz; Kelley Raub and partner Steve Crispino; Cali (Noyes) Cooper, husband Travis Cooper and great-grandson Brody; Alex Raub; and Nikki (Raub) Centerbar and husband Zach Centerbar; and his sister Peggy (Raub) Lockner and husband William Lockner. Tom was predeceased by his beloved wife, Georgene (Georgie) Raub, on April 21, 2025, and his son William (Bill) T. Raub on July 31, 1993. Having been adopted, Tom was blessed to meet and spend time with biological siblings and cousins in his later years.
A service will be held on Saturday, February 7, 2026, 10 a.m., at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Colchester, Vt. A reception will immediately follow at Tom and Georgie’s home in Milton.
In lieu of flowers, you might consider donating to one of Tom’s favorite organizations: Sail Beyond Cancer Vermont and Colchester Rotary Foundation.
This article appears in Love & Marriage Issue • 2026.
I’m sorry to read of Tom’s passing. We were both commercial real estate brokers in the Burlington area for many years, and I enjoyed my business interactions with him. He was a true gentleman.
My condolences to his family and friends. RIP.
I’ve known the Raub Family for a long time. I used to work with Tom Jr. at Blodgett Ovens in the Engineering Department. I used to snow plow Tom and Georgine’s house on Malletts Bay for many years. As a member of MBBC, I remember racing against their red Tarten Ten named Shenanigans. Both him and Georgine used to invite my wife and I down to their house on the shores of Malletts Bay to watch the 4th of July fireworks when the fireworks were held at Bayside. Both of them assisted me in pulling off boat parades in Malletts Bay hosted by MBBC for the Town of Colchester’s various events at Bayside. BOTH as missed terribly be our family!
Our deep condolences to his family and friends.