Thomas Joseph Tracy

1933 - 2016

Thomas Joseph Tracy

AGE: 82 • Wall Township and formerly of Chatham

Thomas Joseph Tracy, 82, of Wall Township and formerly of Chatham, passed away peacefully at home on Thursday, June 16th. His family was by his side, just as he would have wanted.

Tom was a Jersey City boy born and raised. He grew up in a bustling intergenerational household on Magnolia Avenue. He was an altar boy at the Home for the Blind. He graduated from St. Joseph's Grammar School, Mount Carmel High School, and Saint Peter's College.

Tom was employed for 40 years with PSE&G, retiring in 1996 as the Manager of Support Services for the Metropolitan Division. He rarely missed a day of work. After retirement, Tom developed an interest in volunteering. He and his wife Jeanette have volunteered at the Cusack Care Center, Jersey City for over 13 years and were active members of their Circle of Friends committee.

Tom was predeceased by his parents Richard A. Tracy and Mary Halpin Tracy, and his siblings Richard J Tracy, Patrick Tracy, and Nora Darragh. He is survived by his best friend and devoted wife of 46 years Jeanette McDonald Tracy, his beloved children Kevin Thomas Tracy of Wall and Sheila Seton Tracy of Eatontown, many nieces and nephews, and his unofficial service dog Lucy (who was always by his side keeping watch).

He was, more than anything, comfortable in his own skin. He was funny, kind and fair. He believed in holding doors, tipping the attendant at the gas station, and helping with the dishes. He had a beautiful singing voice, loved Irish music, and was a great dancer. He was deeply philosophical but also the king of the bottom line. He loved reading, politics and talking back to the TV when he didn't agree. He believed duct tape or a wire hanger could fix anything (results were mixed). He had terrible fashion sense and loved to decorate (a dangerous combination). He had a great sense of humor and loved to laugh.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend the visitation on Sunday from 4:00pm to 8:00pm at the O'Brien Funeral Home, 2028 Hwy 35 at New Bedford Rd., Wall, NJ 07719 followed by a Mass of Christian Burial on Monday, June 20, 2016 at 10:30am at St. Rose RC Church, 603 7th Ave., Belmar, NJ 07719. Private inurnment will be in Holy Cross Cemetery, North Arlington.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to either the Sisters of Charity of Saint Elizabeth, Development Office, P.O. Box 476, Convent Station, NJ 07961-0476 or Cusack Care Center, Development Office, 537 Pavonia Ave., Jersey City, NJ 07306. Envelopes will be provided at the funeral home on Sunday.

For further information, directions, or to offer online condolences to the family please visit www.obrienfu neralhome.com.