Thomas J. Woods

Thomas J. (Tom) Woods

AGE: 55 • Tinton Falls

Thomas J. (Tom) Woods, 55, who brought so much life, love, and laughter to the lives of all who were lucky enough to meet him, died at peace, at his home in Tinton Halls, NJ, on his 22nd wedding anniversary, July 7, 2012. Tom, the second son of James and Kathleen Woods, was born in New York City on December 10, 1956. Tom was the Chief of Procurement for New Jersey Transit, a position that proved ideal for a man with an amazing aptitude for understanding complex systems and his extraordinary negotiating skills. After beginning his career as an expeditor for an engineering firm specializing in nuclear construction, he joined the Procurement Department of New Jersey Transit in 1987. In a career spanning 25 years, he held several senior management positions, a highlight of which was managing the first public-private partnership Design-Build-Operate-Maintain (DBOM) contract, which resulted in New Jersey's Hudson-Bergen Light Rail System. Subsequently, he headed up Light Rail Operations, Contracted Services, Real-Estate, and Advertising for NJT before returning to Procurement as its Chief.

Tom was a graduate of St. Benedict's Elementary School in Holmdel, NJ; Christian Brothers Academy in Lincroft, NJ; Manhattan College in New York; and the Rutgers University Executive MBA program, where he graduated at the top of his class. Tom was both the smartest and the funniest man in every room lucky enough for him to enter. His interests were as broad as his intellect and his sense of humor. A true Renaissance Man of the Jersey Shore, Tom was a guitarist, a singer, a writer, a blogger, a sailor, a swimmer, and a man who, along with his beloved wife and companion, Pippa, traveled the world in search of knowledge, adventure, friendship, and fun.

Tom was predeceased by his wonderful dad, James P. Woods. Tom is survived by his beautiful wife of 22 years, Pippa deCosson Woods; his beloved mother, Kathleen T. Woods; his older brother, Jim Woods, and Jim's wife, Kathryn Depman; his younger brother, Terry Woods, and Terry's wife, Gina Woods; Jim and Kate's three children, Jimmy, Nacy Kathleen, and Frank; and his beloved cousins, the Wray's, the Young's, and the Schweigard's; and five nephews, Yasha, Toby, and Sebastian Berg, Nicholas and Thomas de Cosson, and Kristin Golden; and two God Sons, Jack Sherlock, and Ben Waldron, and his God Daughter, Nacy K. Woods; and a truly great and wonderful circle of friends whom he loved and who will love and miss him dearly. All will celebrate him forever.

A visitation celebrating Tom's life will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, July 11, 2012 at the John E. Day Funeral Home, 85 Riverside Drive, Red Bank. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, July 12, 2012 at St. Anselm's R.C. Church, 1028 Wayside Road, Tinton Falls. The interment will follow at St. Gabriel Cemetery in Marlboro.

Tom's life was one lived with joy, love, and laughter. His final wish is that you live yours in that spirit. And celebrate his own with the same.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Tom's name can be sent to: The Center in Asbury Park, 806 Third Ave., Asbury Park, NJ, 07712 or Family Promise of Monmouth County www.ihn-of-MC.org. You are invited to share your memories and pictures of Tom at Tom's website at www.johndayfuneralhome.com.