Thomas Peter Fantini

Thomas Peter Fantini passed away on Thursday, June 5, 2025; he was 69 years old.
Tom was born on September 3, 1955, in Elizabeth, New Jersey. He lived in the Bayway section of the city until his family moved to Cranford, New Jersey, in the mid-1960s. Tom graduated from Cranford High School, Union County College, and Seton Hall University after which he and his lifelong best friend, Glenn Fedirko, spent the summer backpacking across the country. Tom fell in love with northern California and made Marin County his home for nearly 3 decades. While working in San Francisco and living in its suburbs, Tom was always onto the next adventure exploring and hiking the magnificent national parks, Lake Tahoe, and the entire west coast region. Upon retirement, Tom relocated to the east coast to be closer to his family and split his time between Myrtle Beach, South Carolina and Chester, New Jersey where he continued to enjoy the beaches and outdoors in both states and the ability to go on his daily hikes and maintain his year-round tan. While in NJ, he never missed the opportunity to cheer for his nieces or nephew from the audience or sidelines of their various school activities.
Tom played on the CHS soccer team and in college was President of the SGA, ski club, marketing club and DJ for the university radio station. Tom's charisma and his outgoing and affable personality served him well in his career in sales. While he held many sales positions in different industries, he found his niche in environmental and hazardous waste sales and referred to himself as "a garbage man ". The years of experience he gained in this industry helped Tom to transition to a volunteer role in his retirement. Having been a Boy Scout, Tom was always ready to jump into action and lend a helping hand. In 2017, he drove solo across country in 48 hours and volunteered in the cleanup of the Santa Rosa, California fires. He was preparing to head to Asheville, North Carolina to help with the aftermath of hurricane Helene when he was diagnosed with glioblastoma in November 2024.
Tom was passionate about travel and his Italian heritage. While he traveled extensively, he adopted Italy as his second home where he visited his adored "La Famiglia" many times over the years and he was delighted when his cugini would visit the United States as he was a very willing tour guide. A loyal Seton Hall Pirates fan, Tom was rarely spotted without his Seton Hall t-shirts and baseball caps. Without fail, he would cross paths with someone familiar with "The Hall" and they would become fast friends.
Tom had an incredible zest for life and was always upbeat and positive. This was apparent even on a day-to-day basis - when you texted Tom his replies were always full of enthusiasm and exclamation points!
Tom was predeceased by his devoted father, Anthony Fantini in 2022, and is survived by his beloved mother Delores Fantini. Tom will be forever missed by his sister Gina and her partner, Lawrence Tobia, nieces and nephews Gabrielle & Jonathan O'Connor, Adam and Gillian Jasper, and cousins Michael & Katherine Arace, and Alexandra Arace and her partner Johannes Dachgruber. Tom's family also included his life-long "brothers" Glenn and Richie Fedirko and Philip and Michael Jasper and an extended family of uncles, aunts, and cousins.
Visitation will be held on Monday, June 16 from 3 to 5 PM with a Memorial Service beginning at 5:00 PM at Bailey Funeral Home, 8 Hilltop Rd. Mendham, New Jersey, There will be a Celebration of Life repast following the service at Redwoods, 459 Main St, Chester, NJ.
In Tom's honor, donations may be made to the