Tim Tolokan, 79, of South Kingstown, R.I. and formerly Storrs, Conn., passed away on Sunday, Nov. 3.

A native of Willimantic, Conn., Tim had a lengthy and successful career at the University of Connecticut, overseeing the sports information/athletic communications office.

He joined the UConn staff in 1980, became the Director of Athletic Media Relations in 1983 and Associate Director of Athletics/Communications in 1986. Tim was responsible for the publicity of all Husky teams and had day-to-day responsibilities with men's basketball, football, and field hockey during his time at UConn.

Tim led UConn into the modern age of athletic communications and media relations as both the men's and women's basketball teams began enjoying national prominence in the late 1980s.

He launched the UConn Licensing/Merchandising Program and Marketing Corporate Partners programs in the 1990s.

Tim became the Associate Director of Athletics-Licensing and Traditions in 2001 before retiring from his full-time role in 2009. Post-retirement, he continued to serve UConn on a part-time basis as special assistant to the athletics director as curator of the J. Robert Donnelly Husky Heritage Sports Museum until 2018.

This past summer, Tim was inducted into the College Sports Communicators (CSC) Hall of Fame – the highest honor for a member of the athletic communications profession.

He was a member of the NCAA Men's Basketball Final Four Media Committee from 1984-2001. Tim received the Katha Quinn Award from United States Basketball Writers Association in 2000 for individuals who have rendered a special service to college basketball.

In 2000, Tim received the 2000 Outstanding Contribution Award from The UConn Club and he was named the winner of the 2023 Dean of Sports Award from the Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist. From 1999-2002, he was a member of the "Content Advisory Committee" for the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

Prior to joining UConn, Tim worked at the Norwich Bulletin for 12 years, where he served as sports editor from 1970 to 1980. He covered UConn teams for the Bulletin, in addition to the Montreal Olympic Games in 1976 and World Series games around the country.

Tim is survived by his wife of 52 years, Diane (Lemoine) of South Kingstown; sister Patricia of Windham, Conn.; brother Toby (Mary) of Indianapolis; nieces Lindsey Lemoine and Julia Lemoine; and nephews John Tolokan, Alek Tolokan, and John Lemoine.

The family would like to thank the staff of Jerome Home in New Britain, Conn., and Brookdale South Bay in South Kingstown and the doctors and staff at UConn John Dempsey Hospital for the care and support they provided Tim.

Potter Funeral Home of Willimantic is in charge of arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the Carole and Ray Neag Comprehensive Cancer Center at UConn Health. Please make checks payable to "UConn Health" and write "In Memory of Tim Tolokan" on memo line. Mail to: UConn Health, Neag Cancer Center, Attention: Patty Smith/AM041, 263 Farmington Ave, Farmington, CT 06030-1834.