Thomas Jay Kaiser

Thomas Jay Kaiser, 70, a loving father, devoted husband, uncle, brother, and cherished friend, passed away peacefully at his home in Taylors, South Carolina, on August 16, 2023, surrounded by his family and close friends.

Born on July 31, 1953, in Point Pleasant, New Jersey, Tom was a kind and generous man who cared deeply about the people in his life. He grew up in New Jersey, spent most of his life in the northeast, and moved to South Carolina in 2010.

A proud serial entrepreneur, Tom was known for his sense of humor. He was passionate about golf, football, especially the Jets, and his love of bird-watching and fishing. Tom had an infectious and stubborn personality to all who knew him. He would want you to know he sold medical devices and knew how all the machines operated at his infusion center.

He loved movies, so here are the following credits: Tom is survived by his beloved children, Ian and Erik, and his wife of 24 years, Joanne; his younger brother, Mike, his wife Patricia, their daughter Jamie, and sons Michael and Thomas; his older brother Kenny, his partner Cindy, and his daughter Tracey; and Erik's mom, Cynthia. Tom is also survived by cousins Kim and Doug and their sons Noah and Lucas and daughter Olivia; cousins Steven and Dianne and their children Heather and Josh; brother-in-law Joe and his wife Liz and their sons Michael, Chris, and John, and daughter Catie; brother-in-law Jerry, wife Kristen and son Joey; and his sister-in-law Janet, his favorite dance partner. He is missed by his best friend, brother-from-another-mother Lou Rizzo, and wife Pam; dear friends Patty, Red Man, Nancy, and Kenny McKeann.

His spirit will live on in the countless memories shared by those who loved him, his grand stories about the one giant fish that got away, his cheering for a football team that constantly lost, and his passionate debates about everything and anything. He loved golf, the gun range, boat rides, the ocean, and riding motorcycles. Tom also loved animals, adopting many in his lifetime and saving strays that somehow always found their way to his family's doorstep. He very much wanted to have one final steak dinner, which we pray he is now enjoying in Heaven and at peace. His legacy will be celebrated in the warm smiles, hearty laughs, and tender moments he bestowed upon his family and friends.

He is preceded in death by his father, Edward, and recently his mother, Doris, and nephew Austin.

Please support the American Cancer Society and consider donating to help end cancer.

Dad's final message to his friends and family: "I don't need sorrow... I want my friends and family to be there for each other, with me in spirit. I would like everyone to take all the sorrow that they have for me and turn all of that energy into a tremendous and powerful love to share with each other. Please forgive each other's faults and start afresh every day, as if it's our first chance to make an impression on the world. I love you all."