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Thomas Powers Obituary
AGE: 82 • Wall Twp.
Thomas J. Powers, 82, of Wall Township passed away at his home on Monday April 4. Tom was born and raised in Brooklyn, NY. He attended St. Francis Prep, started college at St. Francis College in Brooklyn and then served in the US Army. Upon completing his military service he returned to St Francis College and received a BA in Economics. He was also a scholar athlete playing Basketball and Baseball. After his graduation he was a salesman for Schaefer Brewing Company, Queens for over ten years. He then became a salesman for DTA Concrete, Wall. Tom went on to work for the Department of Human Services and the Garden State Parkway Authority retiring in 2005. He was elected to Aberdeen Township Council in 1967. He later became Mayor of Aberdeen, elected as Monmouth County Freeholder from 1981 until 2005 and named Freeholder Director in 2005. Tom was Grand Marshall of St. Patrick's Day Parade, Belmar in 1989, Irishman of the Year for the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick, Jersey Shore in 1994, Man of the Year for the Friendly Sons of the Shillelagh, Jersey Shore in 1999, Honorary Life Member of the Aberdeen PBA Local 163 and President of NJ Association of Counties. He coached youth baseball and basketball in the Aberdeen-Matawan area and was a member of Shore Board 194 IAABO, officiating high school basketball in the Shore Conference. Proud of his Irish heritage, Brooklyn roots, and record of public service, Tom's greatest joy was his family. He enjoyed nothing more than attending any event involving his grandchildren.
Tom is predeceased by his parents John and Mildred Powers, two sons-in-law Joseph Lyttle and Robert Handy. He is survived by his wife of 58 years Barbara (nee Straus) Powers, Wall; his children and their spouses John (Tammy)Powers of Aberdeen, Barbara Lyttle of Freehold, Mary Handy of Howell, Thomas (Susan) Powers of Freehold, Jennifer (Michael) Hastings of Pennington and James (Tracy) Powers of Wall. He is also survived by his 18 cherished grandchildren Catherine, Joseph, Erin, Connor, Caitlin, Meghan, Robert, Ryan, Hayley, Patrick, Sean, Brianne, Emma, Jack, Sam, Tanner, Riley and Devaney.
Family and friends are invited to attend a visitation on Thursday April 7 at St. Denis Church 90 Union Avenue Manasquan, NJ 08736 from 3-7 pm. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 am Friday, April 8th at St Catharine's Church 215 Essex Avenue Spring Lake, NJ 08762. Interment will follow at St. Ann's Cemetery 1610 Allenwood Road, Wall, NJ. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital PO Box 1000 Dept 142 Memphis, TN 38101 or online at www.stjude.org. If you are sending flowers please send directly to St. Denis Church, Manasquan. To send condolences to the family please visit www.orenderfamilyhome.com. Arrangements are under the direction of Orender Family Home for Funerals, Manasquan.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Thomas Powers
Sponsored by Orender Family Home.
Howard O'Neil
April 2, 2023
Tom Powers was a fine gentleman and a great leader! Always enjoyed being in his company.
Kenneth Dixon
April 10, 2016
To the Powers family,
I am very sorry for your loss. He was a great gentleman. He always had a smile on his face. May he rest in peace
Kenneth Dixon
Hazel Bove
April 8, 2016
I'm a long-time employee with the Surrogate's Office in the Hall of Records and during that time, I had the pleasure of working under Freeholder Powers. I had tremendous respect for him. He was always kind, sincere and honest mixed with a great Irish wit. I will always remember his smile.
My heartfelt condolences to his family and close friends. He will be sorely missed.
Rich Pezzullo
April 8, 2016
Tom,
I'll miss your friendly support and advice. It was always a delight to be with you. You were always great to be around.
April 7, 2016
Will miss you Mr. Powers RIP
Colleen Feeney
Noreen Dance
April 7, 2016
God bless and RIP
Julie Epstein
April 7, 2016
I was 4.5 years old when my family moved from Brooklyn,NY to Aberdeen,NJ and we were lucky enough to live next door to the Powers for 20 years. I have wonderful memories growing up with ALL the Powers. I'm having a hard time posting through my tears. I'm sorry I never got a chance to to tell Mr. Powers what a special man he was. He was one in a million. RIP Mr. Powers. Love and strength to the entire family. Love, Julie
Ken and Adele Keller
April 6, 2016
To John , Tom, Jim, your sisters ,wives and Mom and children please accept our condolences on the passing of your Dad. He was a wonderful man, great public servant, and dedicated citizen of Monmouth County. And I'm sure the best Dad ever.
JR Almerino
April 6, 2016
The county has suffered a great loss with the passing of this very fine man. He will always be remembered for doing the right thing and never turning his back on a friend in need. Rest in peace Mr. Powers and thank you for all the help you delivered throughout the years. I speak on behalf of the Almerino family went I say you will be missed and your good will never forgotten.
April 6, 2016
To the Powers family our sincerest condolences. Tom was a staunch supporter of the Belmar parade and The Irish Federation of Monmouth County and all things Irish. We pray that Tom will rest in peace. Helen and John Fay, Past Presidents of The Irish Federation.
Barbara Ambler-Naples
April 6, 2016
Tom was such an interesting and well spoken man who dedicated his life to his community. The fact that he was a freeholder for so many years was testament to that. He made many important decisions that affected many people and he took that job very seriously.
My mom also had fond memories of him growing up. I did not get to see him as much while I was growing up, but it was always good to see him at our family reunions as I got older. He will be missed. My thoughts go out to you, Barbara, and your whole family. I will make a donation in his name to St. Jude.
Barbara Ambler-Naples
April 6, 2016
Sorry for your loss. My mother,Joan and my family will keep you in our prayers. -Robert j. Powers - your cousins from Long Island
Roseanne Trevean
April 6, 2016
Dear Barbara and Family, I am So sorry for your loss. Lots of great memories. Prayers for Tom and your family.
Christopher Wiley
April 6, 2016
Rip Mr Powers you never be forgotten
Peggy O'Connor
April 6, 2016
Barbara and Family ,
Tom was a wonderful person. We enjoyed seeing [and hearing] him at the St. Patrick's Parade events.
I'll be thinking of you all and remembering a truly great man! Peggy O'Connor
April 6, 2016
So sorry to hear about Mr. Powers. I've known him since a kid. Always a gentleman. What a smile he had! My condolences to the Powers family.
Kerry Marks Gluck
Howard O'Neil
April 6, 2016
Very sorry that Tom Powers has passed. An extraordinary gentleman who always put his family first. He was a great leader in his community and for Monmouth County residents. It was always a pleasure to be not only with Tom Sr. but with his sons who are both great men. He is a man who will be truly missed by all who knew him.
DONALD & PEGGY DEVITO
April 6, 2016
WE ARE SO SORRY ABOUT TOM'S PASSING. HE WAS A REALLY NICE MAN. WE WILL MISS SITTING WITH HIM AT OUR GRANDCHILDRENS GAMES. OUR HEARTS GO OUT TO ALL OF YOU
Robert Winant
April 6, 2016
Condolences to the Powers family as I read of Tom's passing.
I worked with Tom at Monmouth County for 19 years and got to know him very well. What I remember most and see this morning as I read this notice, 1,200 miles away, is his smile and laughter----thanks for all those memories Tom.
Bob Winant
Sea Girt
Ruth Cohen
April 6, 2016
So very sorry to read of Mr. Powers passing. I enjoyed working for him when he was a Freeholder. Thoughts and prayers to his family & friends. He will be truly missed & forever remembered.
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