Obituary: Jacqueline “Jackie” Tamsin, 43, of Branford

Obituary courtesy of W. S. Clancy Memorial Funeral Home:

BRANFORD, CT — Jacqueline “Jackie” Tamsin, 43, of Branford, passed away peacefully and surrounded by love on February 26, 2024. She was a loving daughter, sister, aunt, godmother, cousin, and one of the best friends anyone could have ever wanted to have.

Jackie was best known for her athleticism, strength, wisdom, perseverance, grit, and competitiveness. Also, for love for music and dancing, her beauty, and her love of the beach. And Luca says her love of Five Golden Rings! She worked as an IT Specialist for all of her career, most recently for the Passport Corporation of New York, NY.

Jackie was the beloved daughter of Mark Tamsin and Maria Gargamelli, and stepdaughter of Tom Ravizza. She was born on August 21, 1980 in New Haven.

Besides her parents she is survived by her brothers Mark (Erica) Tamsin and Michael (Maria) Tamsin, her nieces Sophia, Talia (goddaughter), Cassie and Gabriella (goddaughter), her nephew Luca, and her special cousins and their children, Christopher (Krysta) Gargamelli, Lulu and Nina, and Melissa Gargamelli and Lexia. Additionally, her cousins Tara, Tanner, and Marshall Tamsin held a special place in her heart. Jackie was predeceased by her grandparents, Gisto and Emma Gargamelli and Leonard and Dorothy Tamsin.

Jackie excelled in athletics and was a fierce competitor. The closer the score, the better she played. She was a four-year starter at Lauralton Hall High School in basketball and softball. Her best sport was ice hockey where she played as a first line forward for the CT Polar Bears USA Hockey team, one of the premier all girls ice hockey programs in the country. Her team won four national championships between 1994-1998, playing in Syracuse, Boston, Minneapolis, and Anaheim.

She attended Providence College on a four-year ice hockey scholarship and received a Bachelors degree in Finance. During 2001-2002, Providence won the Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference championship. Jackie scored the only goal in the title game on a short-handed break-away steal against a Northeastern goalie who had not given up a goal in the tournament.

Jackie was an unsung hero as a relentless forechecker and stalwart defender and possessed a skating speed that was unsurpassed. She continued her hockey career after college playing for a semi-pro national team in Switzerland for a year. Along with being a tri-sport athlete and avid skier, Jackie also ran multiple marathons, including Boston and New York. Additionally, she participated in many endurance competitions.

On behalf of Jackie, a heartfelt thank you goes out to her doctors and nurses in the MICU and Adult Emergency Department at YNHH. They went above and beyond for Jackie with their superb care. A special thanks to Suzie, Mary Beth, Mimi, and Jeanie for all their love and support.

And now my loving daughter, rest in peace. Some beach, somewhere! Simply the best!

Relatives and friends are invited to a visitation to be held Friday evening from 4:00 – 8:00 at the W. S. Clancy Memorial Funeral Home, 244 North Main Street, Branford, and may attend a Mass of Christian Burial on Saturday morning at 10:30 at St. John Bosco Parish in St. Mary Church, 731 Main Street, Branford. Burial will follow in St. Agnes Cemetery, Branford.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the American Liver Foundation. For directions and an online memorial see www.wsclancy.com.