Thomas Peter Vivarelli

Vivarelli, Thomas Peter, - 80, of Somers Point, formerly of Ocean City, passed away peacefully at his home on Saturday, January 15, 2022, surrounded by his family. Tom was born in Millville to Daniel Thomas and Lillian Rachel Vivarelli (née Johnson) on June 5, 1941. After graduating from the Vineland High School in 1959, Tom continued his education at The College of New Jersey (formerly Trenton State College), earning his B.A. in 1963, and later his M.A. at Rowan University (formerly Glassboro State College) in 1966. Tom's collegiate years were highlighted by his participation in tennis and soccer, wherein he received captain and varsity honors, respectively. Tom was an educator at heart, both in the classroom and on the tennis court. He was a well-respected and admired professor at Rowan University for 37 years (1967 - 2004) in the Department of Special Services. In retirement, Tom was a fixture of the Ocean City tennis community, serving as an instructor and assistant coach to the OCHS girls & boys tennis teams for many years. While his devotion to the sport of tennis earned him many professional awards and titles, Tom perhaps took the greatest joy in the simplest of pleasures, like taking early morning walks with his beloved dog, Gabbie, relaxing on the beach for endless hours with his sons, or driving his prized 1990 red Jeep Wrangler. Tom married Dolores "Dolly" Lorraine Williscroft in 1978 and together they had three sons, Christopher, Andrew, and Ryan. He is also survived by his brother and sister-in-law, Daniel and Judith; his son, Thomas; his granddaughter, Taegen May, and his sixteen nieces and nephews. A service of memory and love will be held on Tuesday, January 25, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. at the St. Frances Cabrini Church located at 114 Atlantic Avenue, Ocean City, NJ 08226. Friends may call at 10:00 a.m. For condolences to the family, visit www.godfreyfuneralhome.com