Thomas C Lopes

Thomas C. Lopes, 83, of Red Bank, NJ passed away peacefully with family by his side on Saturday, December 27th, 2025, following a long and courageous battle with illness. Thomas formerly resided in Hazlet, NJ and Ocean Pines Maryland.

Thomas, affectionately known as "Tom", was born on July 21st, 1942 in Union City, NJ to Thomas Lopes and Caroline (Galli) Lopes. He grew up with siblings Joanne Lopes, Anthony Lopes, Carolyn Millevoi, Marie Nolan, and Joseph Lopes. Thomas graduated from Red Bank Catholic High School in 1959 and went on to receive his bachelor's degree from Fairmont State College in West Virginia. Tom's officiating journey began while he was a senior at Fairmont State, where he narrowly missed making the basketball team-a circumstance he later joked was due to being "vertically challenged." Recognizing Tom's passion for the game, the coach encouraged him to explore officiating. Tom accepted the challenge, working the entire junior varsity schedule for a local high school team coached by a fraternity brother, earning the modest sum of $2.50 per game. What began as an alternative path quickly became a lifelong calling. After graduating with his bachelor's, he went on to receive two master's degrees from Seton Hall University.

After graduating in 1966, Tom returned to New Jersey, enrolled in the IAABO officiating class, successfully passed the examination, and officially began his distinguished officiating career. Tom's resume of officiating assignments is both extensive and impressive. He worked New Jersey State Championships, numerous Holiday Festivals, and NIT Championship games. For 20 consecutive years, Tom officiated in the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament, including three Final Fours. His conference assignments included the Northeast Conference (NEC), Southeastern Conference (SEC), BIG EAST, Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC), America East, Atlantic 10, Patriot League, and the Ivy League.

Among the highlights of his career, Tom was named Naismith College Official of the Year in 1997, one of the highest honors in collegiate officiating. He was awarded IAABO's highest honor of Life Membership in 2001. In 2019, he received the prestigious NASO Gold Whistle Award, widely regarded as one of the top accolades in sports officiating. In recognition of his lasting impact on the game, Tom was inducted into the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association Hall of Fame in 2022. A member of IAABO for more than 50 years, Tom served the organization with distinction at both the local and international levels. At the local level, he held leadership roles as Board President and Interpreter, while at the international level he was a respected clinician and served as Assistant Chairman of the Rules Examination Committee, working closely with the renowned Roger MacTavish for eight years. In addition to his service to IAABO, Tom dedicated 14 years as Executive Director of the Collegiate Basketball Officials Association (CBOA), where he played a pivotal role in organizing the membership, negotiating contracts, and overseeing the day-to-day operations of the association.

He devoted more than 30 years to the field of education, serving with distinction as a science teacher, guidance counselor, vice principal, principal, assistant superintendent, and superintendent of schools in Keansburg, New Jersey. A significant portion of his career was spent leading Special Education programs for classified and handicapped students, and he was actively involved with Special Olympics at the local level.

Although Tom was presented with many awards throughout his life, his greatest prize was the love of his life, his wife, Nancy (Conroy) Lopes. Tom met Nancy in 1961 at their school dance, where he politely asked her to dance. From that moment on, they fell head over heels for one another. Married on August 20th, 1966, they went on to raise three beautiful children-Thomas, Jennifer, and David-and together built the life they had always dreamed of. Their love story spanned an incredible 65 years, a true testament to partnership, devotion, and enduring love.

The last 25 years were spent in Ocean Pines, Maryland, surrounded by his children, and grandchildren. That home became the heart of countless memories: long nights of card games where Tom would jokingly accuse others of cheating when they were winning too often, and many homemade dinners, especially his famous crab cakes. He'd tell the grandchildren they could only have one each so he could have the most, leaving everyone laughing. There were mini-golf tournaments as well as ping-pong tournaments that quickly turned into fierce family competitions, particularly among the grandchildren. Ocean Pines was where the family gathered to laugh, have fun, and create lasting memories-and Tom was at the center of it all.

Above all, Tom's greatest gifts were his beloved grandchildren…Jacob, David, Alexa, Alea and Zachary. Known to them simply as Pop, he was their biggest supporter and strongest believer. Whether it was during countless boat rides, jet-ski adventures, fishing contests, scavenger hunts, or even washing cars in the rain, Pop was always right there-turning everyday moments into unforgettable memories. Through it all, he encouraged them to be passionate, driven, and confident in pursuing whatever they wanted in life. He taught them to be kind to others, to always stand up for themselves, and to never shy away from their dreams. Pop truly believed that with hard work and determination, anything was possible-and his guidance, love, and example will continue to shape their lives forever.

During any family event, you can always find Tom asking: "Is this real butter?", "Is this decaf or regular?", "Where is the crumb cake?", and you knew when the lights would flash on and off, it was time to go….party over! Tom was a presence. One who's company everyone wanted around. His humor, intelligence, integrity and love was felt in everything he touched and those who knew him will forever feel blessed.

Tom is predeceased by his parents, Thomas Lopes and Caroline (Galli) Lopes, and his brothers, Anthony Lopes and Joseph Lopes.

He is survived by his beloved wife of over 59 years, Nancy Lopes, his children, Thomas Lopes and wife Ashley, Jennifer Rocco and husband Michael, and David Lopes and wife Stephanie, as well as his cherished grandchildren, Jacob, David, Alexa, Alea, and Zachary, in addition to his siblings, Joanne Lopes, Carolyn Millevoi, and Marie Nolan.

A memorial gathering will be held for Tom on Tuesday, January 6th, 2026 from 4-8pm at the John E. Day Funeral Home located at 85 Riverside Avenue, Red Bank, NJ 07701. A memorial mass will be held for Thomas on Wednesday, January 7th, 2026 at 11:30am at St. James RC Church located at 94 Broad Street in Red Bank. Niche interment will take place after the mass at Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Middletown, NJ.