Thomas W. Heacook

Thomas W. Heacook, of Forked River, passed away peacefully on December 7, 2025, at Southern Ocean Medical Center.

Thomas was born on August 17, 1959, in Paterson, New Jersey, to the late Joseph B. Heacook and Anita C. (Fenney) Carr. He was one of seven children . After graduating from Lakewood High School, he pursued a lifelong career in auto mechanics. He worked at Lombardi’s, Pine Belt Chevrolet , Pine Belt Acura, and Honda Universe, where he concluded his career. Throughout his 40 years in the industry, Thomas made a lasting impact and took great pride in becoming a Master Mechanic . After his retirement, Thomas wasn’t ready to slow down and went on to work at the Tool Rental Department at Home Depot in Manahawkin where he enjoyed sharing his knowledge, lending a helping hand, and making many new friends. His coworkers often shared that whenever anyone had trouble with their car, they would pull right up to Tool Rental knowing that Tom would help—no matter the problem, no matter the time. Helping others came naturally to him, and he never hesitated to do so.

Outside of work, Thomas had a deep love for the outdoors and adventure. He was passionate about riding his motorcycle, taking his family into the woods, teaching them how to ride dirt bikes and the Odyssey, and spending time crabbing. Known affectionately as “Tom the Tool Man,” Thomas was truly a jack of all trades—there wasn’t a skill he couldn’t master. If you knew Tom, you knew he was a man of many memorable quotes and a wealth of wisdom. Thomas also had a deep love for music, which was always a part of his life—whether it was playing in the background while he worked, rode, or spent time with family, music was one of the many ways he found joy, and he proudly passed down his great taste in music to his children . Above all, he was a proud Pop Pop who adored his grandchildren.

Thomas is survived by his fiancée , Josephine Martinez; his ex-wife, longtime friend, and mother of his children, Veronica Berrios Heacook; and his daughters, Lindsey C. Heacook (Brian Martins), Samantha M. Kovack (Gregory), and Jasmine N. Altmeyer (Nicholas). He is also survived by his beloved grandchildren, Olivia, Camila, and Cayden Kovack; his sisters, Anita Feaster (Dan), MaryAlice Berrios (Fernando), and Kathy Heacook; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his father, Joseph B. Heacook (1992); his mother, Anita C. Heacook (2023); his sister, Bethann Heacook (2017); and his brothers, Joseph B. Heacook (2020) and Cpl. Keith A. Heacook (2021).

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, January 3, 2026, from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM at The Holiday Beach Club, 172 Lighthouse Drive, Ocean Township, NJ 08758.

The family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to the incredible nursing staff, PCT’s , doctors , dietary staff and EVS team at Southern Ocean Medical Center for the compassion and exceptional care they provided to Thomas during his stay.

Tom will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him, and his memory will live on in our hearts forever.

Forever loved. Forever missed. Forever our Dad-PopPop - Partner, friend & Tool Man.

Services are entrusted to Jersey Shore Cremation Service, 43 Taylor Avenue, Manasquan, NJ - JerseyShoreCremation.com