Thomas Mahedy

Thomas Mahedy, 61, of Manasquan, New Jersey, passed away peacefully on August 1, 2024 surrounded by his loving family. Tom fought to the end, staying true to who he was and now is rejoicing in heaven.
He was born September 6, 1962 in Teaneck, New Jersey at Holy Name Hospital and resided in Wayside and Manasquan, New Jersey.
Tom lived a full life and will be missed by the many lives he touched in his quest for peace, prosperity, love and hope for all. He is survived by his mother Rose Mahedy, predeceased by his late father Joseph John Mahedy, his favorite sister Anne, his brothers Joseph (Randi), James (Theresa), Stephen (Nancy) and Robert (Holly); his daughters Kendell, Shannon, and Casey; and his nephews and nieces who loved him dearly Blake, Matthew, Michael, Megan, Cole, Christoper, Jack and Sophia. Tom is also survived by many aunts, uncles and cousins who lovingly supported and mentored him.
As a young adult Tom developed a love for the outdoors and athletics. He wrestled, ran track and cross-country at Ocean Township High School and revelled in the open spaces of Wayside with his siblings. His father Joe and mother Rose (Booty) were loving and supportive parents whose guiding principles were founded on providing roots and wings to their children.
While Tom was accepted to the Naval Academy at Annapolis, he ultimately chose to attend Auburn University where he was awarded a Navy R.O.T.C scholarship to study Aerospace Engineering. He spent time at sea aboard the USS Nimitz in the North Atlantic, and sailed through the Arctic Circle. Tom received degrees in Philosophy and Social Work from LaSalle University in Philadelphia.
Tom was an advocate for social justice from an early age. While at LaSalle, Tom began his association with the Trinity Missions. He initiated, structured and taught a literacy program for prisoners of the Philadelphia House of Correction along with his dear and life-long friends Theresa Keeler and Mary Therese Gaab.
After LaSalle, Tom returned to Alabama to the town of Holy Trinity, where he volunteered at a rural school as teacher, sports coach and bus driver. That year he went with a group called Witness for Peace to take the testimony of villagers in El Salvador.
In 1992, he organized and in his typical hands-on manner drove a truck packed with humanitarian aid including food, medical and agricultural supplies from New Jersey to El Salvador. The caravan of 30 other trucks from around the country was organized with Pastors for Peace.
Tom's advocacy led him to associations and participation with Local State and Global Organizations. Some of his interests included Clean Ocean Action (COA), the Clear Water Festival, Mothers of the Disappeared Central America, Campus Ministries of Appalachia, and Central NJ Coalition for Peace and Justice. Tom was awarded and acknowledged by many for his efforts including the Rosenberg Foundation and as a recipient of the Dorothy Day Award. In his inherent humble manner Tom's spoken and unspoken proudest accomplishments were not his own, but those of daughters Kendell, Shannon, and Casey.
He lived his life to fullest and preferred to walk-the-walk, versus talk the talk. He was often the most informed and brightest in the room, but at times would say the least. He lived by his mantra of "Live Simply so Others may Simply Live", and his greeting and salutation was who he was, "Peace & Love".
Visiting will be held on Monday, August 5, 2024 from 2-4 & 6-8 pm at Fiore-Buckley Funeral Home, 236 Monmouth Road in Oakhurst, Ocean Township. A Funeral Liturgy will be offered on Tuesday, August 6, 2024 at 12:30 pm at St. Mary's Church, 46 Richmond Ave, Deal. Burial will follow at Monmouth Memorial Park Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, please contribute to https://cleanoceanaction.org/donate, https://wetlandsinstitute.org/, https://www.parkinson.org/how-to-help. For condolences, please visit www.fiorefuneralhomes.com.