Thomas Krissak

My dear family and friends,
This is something you don't get to read too often, an obituary written in the first person.
Born in New Jersey, I was the third and last child of Mary May Ogarek and John Krissak. My two siblings predeceased me, my sister, Lorraine, whom I affectionately called "Wynn" and my brother, Jim, whom I just called Jim. I grew up in Carteret, New Jersey, and went to public schools there until eighth grade. I then transferred to Mother of the Savior Seminary in Blackwood, New Jersey for high school and then went to St Peter's College, now University, for my bachelor's degree. There were no good jobs after St Peter's, so I kind of just bounced around until a part time job led me to the funeral business. I was attracted by the science and the therapy, and it turned out to be a good match for me. I went to the American Academy McAllister Institute for formal training. After working for two prominent funeral homes in the area, I opened my own trade service, doing independent embalming without committing to one funeral home.
On May 4, 1974, I married Ruth Zimbicki at Saint Joseph's Church in Tom's River. We had several good years together, but then we started to feel like our parents, and we did not want to live the rest of our lives like that, so we divorced. I went to work for Wake Forest Baptist Hospital in their bed management program, where I stayed until I retired. The first years there were great; the last years not so much. I was grateful to get out from under that job. However, a high point of that second part of my life was enrolling in a Master of Liberal Studies program where I earned a Masters of Art.
On June 12, 2010, I met Samuel, who has been my life-saving angel ever since. I could not go through any of this without him. I also have a beautiful daughter, Avery Nichols, whom I love dearly, and who has given me the great gift of three sweet granddaughters. In addition, I have four nieces, a nephew, and a cousin who are also wonderful friends.
An interment will be at All Souls Natural Burial Ground, 1300 Jefferson Road, Greensboro, North Carolina, on Saturday, February 22, 2025, at 2:00 PM. Instead of flowers, donations may be sent to St. Peter's University by clicking the donate now button below.
Triad Cremation & Funeral Service, 2110 Servomation Road, Greensboro, North Carolina is honorably serving the Krissak- Johnson Family.