Thomas J. Madigan

Thomas "Tom" Madigan, 71, of Wyckoff, NJ, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family,
on October 18, 2025, after a brief illness.
Born in Boston, MA, and raised in West Roxbury, Tom attended Don Bosco Technical High
School, where he played hockey, and later earned a degree in International Studies from
Stonehill College, where he also met his wife, Mary. After beginning their family in Roslindale,
MA, Tom and Mary moved to Wyckoff in 1983, where they raised their seven children: Erin,
Alicia, Michael, Andrea (Annie), James (Jimmy), Elizabeth (Bitsy), and Patrick (Patio).
Tom enjoyed a successful career in sales, but his true passions were his family, faith, and
community, which he proudly served through various organizations and leadership positions.
He was committed to the betterment of Wyckoff during his more than 42 years as a proud
town resident.
Deeply committed to public service, he served on the Ramapo Indian Hills Board of Education
for 14 years, the Wyckoff Town Council from 2010–11 and 2016–2025, and as Mayor in 2019
and 2023. He also contributed to numerous township boards and committees, including the
Planning Board, Zoning Board, Environmental Commission, and was a founding member of the
Wyckoff Parks and Recreation Foundation. When not at Town Hall, he could often be found
connecting with constituents as a founding member of the Brick House Cigar Shop.
A devoted parishioner of St. Elizabeth's Church, Tom was active in the Men's Cornerstone
Ministry and volunteered at St. Martin's Soup Kitchen in Jersey City. His faith took him on
pilgrimages to the Holy Land, Lourdes, and Rome, where he received a memorable blessing
from Pope John Paul II.
Tom was also a proud member of the Wyckoff/Midland Park Rotary Club, where he served as
President and received both the Paul Harris Fellow and Gift of Life Humanitarian Awards.
Through Rotary's Gift of Life Program, Tom and his family hosted four children from overseas
who were receiving heart surgery.
An enthusiastic volunteer and coach, Tom spent many years on the fields and courts of
Wyckoff's Recreation Program. He loved traveling with family and friends, exploring the world
from Ireland to Egypt and many lands in between.
A magnet within the town of Wyckoff, he was famous for his humor, storytelling, and legendary
St. Patrick's Day parties.
Tom's presence was always felt long before his unmistakable Boston accent gave him away. He
was Wyckoff's unofficial mayor of laughter-always quick with a story, a wisecrack, or a
perfectly timed one-liner. Everyone who met Tom has a story that still makes them smile
because he had a way of making every interaction memorable. Those closest to him would say he was "annoyingly funny"; he could find humor in any situation, even in life's toughest moments. Though the town feels quieter without him, his spirit echoes in every laugh, every gathering, and every story shared about the man who made life a little brighter for everyone around him.
Tom is survived by his beloved wife of 48 years, Mary; five children and nine grandchildren: Erin
Vitale and husband Douglas, with children Nicholas, Daniella, and Adrianna of Point Pleasant
Beach; Michael and wife Marcella, with children Alexa, Caralyna, and Riley of Coconut Creek, FL;
Annie Pagano and husband Gary, with sons Grayson and Griffin, recently relocated from
California to Point Pleasant Beach; Jimmy and wife Jenna, with son Otis of New York City; and
Patrick and wife Cayla of Norwalk, CT. He is also survived by his sisters Kathleen of Westwood,
MA; Margaret McDermott and husband Michael of Plymouth, MA; Anne Diaferio of Hyde Park,
MA; and Jeanne Nolan and husband Richard of Norwood, MA; along with many nieces,
nephews, and extended family.
He was predeceased by his daughters Elizabeth "Bitsy" (1999) and Alicia (2010) and his brother
James "Jimmy" Madigan of Taunton, MA (2025).
Visitation will be held on Thursday, October 30, 2025, from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Vander Plaat
Funeral Home, 257 Godwin Avenue, Wyckoff, NJ. A Funeral Mass will follow on Friday, October
31, 2025, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Elizabeth's Catholic Church, 700 Wyckoff Avenue, Wyckoff, NJ.
Interment will take place at Christ the King Cemetery, 980 Huron Road, Franklin Lakes, NJ.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations made to The Gift of Life
Gift of Life International
PO Box 650436, Fresh Meadows NY 11365
Web: http://giftoflifeinternational.org/donate
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