Thomas Ballman

Thomas Ballman

AGE: 60 • Neptune

Thomas Ballman, 60, of Neptune, passed away peacefully, on Thursday, March 23, 2017, surrounded by his devoted wife and loving family at his side.

Tom was the beloved husband of Donna Lee Peger of Neptune. He is survived by his father, Albert Ballman of Toms River and stepmother, Joyce Laudise of Berkeley Heights, brother to Christopher Ballman and his wife, Susan McCabe of Arlington, Mass., Karen Ballman Simone of Westborough, Mass., and Peggy Ballman of Flemington. He was a cherished uncle to Jenna Simone Nichols, Michael Simone, Connor Perone, McCabe Ballman and Rowan Ballman. He was predeceased by his mother, Margaret Boyle Ballman, and sister Rosemary Ballman, both of Toms River. He is also survived by brothers-in law, Dennis Peger of East Brunswick, William and his wife Linda, and nephew, Kyle Peger, of East Windsor, Eddie of East Brunswick and sister-in law, Patricia Peger of East Brunswick. He is also survived by his cats, Elmie and Yoyo, whom he loved dearly.

Born in Rahway, he graduated from Woodbridge High School in 1974 and earned his bachelor's degree from Rutgers University. He previously lived in Toms River and had been a resident of Neptune for 17 years. Tom devoted his life to working with children on the Autism spectrum. He was an exceptional teacher to children with special needs, working as a one-to-one aide at the Harbor School in Eatontown for the past 13 years. Tom approached his students with empathy and generosity to create a safe and positive learning experience that recognized each student's unique qualities and potential. Tom also worked with the children of private clients using physical and recreational education as a therapeutic tool. He will be deeply missed by the autism community. He previously was employed by Arthur Brisbane Child Treatment Center in Farmingdale, and also worked at The Asbury Park Press during the early 1980s. Tom will be remembered by his family and friends for his great love and vast knowledge of music, his deep respect for nature and the outdoors, his devotion to helping animals, Sunday morning basketball games, Yankee loyalty, and love of vintage sci-fi and horror movies. He traveled to many Caribbean islands where he enjoyed, snorkeling, scuba diving, hiking mountain trails and exploring the wonders of the rain forests and its wildlife. He was an amateur film-maker and often recruited his family and friends as actors in his home productions. Most importantly, Tom was a man who valued simplicity and integrity and who believed passionately in the spirit of possibility for all children. A visitation and service celebrating Tom's life will be held Sunday, April 2, 2017, from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Oceanside Memorial Home, 2014 Main St., Lake Como, NJ. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Go The Distance for Autism, http://www.gtd4autism.org. Garden Academy, under the team Darling Duddies, will dedicate this year's bike ride in Tom's honor.