Thomas M. Flattery

On July 24, Thomas M. Flattery, 83, of Haworth, New Jersey, peacefully passed away surrounded by his family. Born on September 29, 1941, Tom was a true Brooklyn native, regaling his grandchildren with tales of the Dodgers and Ebbets Field. He lived a life rich in experience, defined by a profound moral compass and an insatiable curiosity about the world.
A proud alumnus of Fordham University, Tom's Jesuit education and Catholic faith instilled in him a lifelong commitment to social justice and progressive beliefs. A United States Marine Corps veteran, Tom served during the Vietnam War, where his fluency in languages, including Vietnamese, aided U.S. intelligence gathering. He retired with the rank of Captain in 1968.
His 40-year career in international finance began at Manufacturers Hanover in New York. In 1973, he moved to Nairobi, Kenya, with his wife and growing family, and played an instrumental role in opening Africa to American banking. This initial three-year immersion sparked a lifelong affection for the country.
After settling in Haworth, NJ, in 1976, Tom's work continued to take him across the African continent for over a decade. Tom ultimately brought his expertise to the Federal Reserve of New York, where he became a recognized figure in anti-money laundering, working with foreign banks in New York City and speaking on the topic around the world.
Beyond his professional life, Tom was a man of diverse and passionate interests including American history – particularly the American Revolution, where he fostered a deep admiration for and became a fierce defender of Benedict Arnold. For four decades, his daily commute into New York City typically featured a copy of The New York Times, a deeply annotated American history book, and, depending on his current passion, a smaller book on birds, woodworking or art.
Even as his Alzheimer's progressed, he sought to share his experiences, often walking around with maps of Africa and South Asia to use as a touchstone to pass on his experiences in Africa, Vietnam, and his youth in Brooklyn.
Tom will be profoundly missed for his kindness, intellectual curiosity and love for his family. He is survived by his beloved wife, Katherine, and their four children: Jessica (Brian) Cole, Jo (Keith Byrne), Benjamin (Vicki Elkins), and Nicholas (Miriam) as well as his brother Peter. He was a devoted grandfather to Caroline, Brian, Hunter, Frances, Leo, Helen, Cecelia, and Christian. Tom was predeceased by his parents, Deborah and Peter Flattery, and his sister, Patricia (John) Blake.
In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to the Englewood Food Bank, Englewood, NJ.
A mass in celebration of Tom's life will be held at a later date.