Thomas V. Shoop

1941 - 2021

Thomas Victor Shoop, of Ft. Lauderdale, FL, passed away peacefully on February 17, 2021 surrounded by his daughter, Eva Shoop-Shafor, and son-in-law, Steve Shafor. He is predeceased by his wife Charlene Mannear Shoop and survived by his loving family.

Tom was born in Freeport, PA on April 26, 1941, a son of the late Everett and Ruth (Kennedy) Shoop. Tom was pre-deceased by his sister, Ann (Shoop) Mall, and survived by his brother, John Shoop. Everett was a fourth-generation owner of J.H. Shoop & Sons, previously the oldest family-owned men's clothing store in the United States.

Tom was a graduate of Freeport High School, class of 1959, where he was senior class President and worked at the family store. Following, he attended Washington and Jefferson College, earning a B.A. in economics in 1963, joining the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity and participating in varsity athletics.

Tom was commissioned as an Ensign in the US Navy in 1963. His first assignment was in Airborne Early Warning Squadron Pacific, stationed at Barber's Point NAS in Hawaii. He was then assigned to Naval Forces Command in Saigon, South Viet Nam, for a 13-month tour. Upon his return to the US, he was assigned as an instructor in Counter Insurgency at Little Creek, VA, from which he left the active Naval Service and became a member of the Selected Naval Reserve. During his 30-year career, he served at Naval Air Stations in New York and Key West, and as the Commanding Officer of the Naval Investigative Reserve Unit in Puerto Rico. His last assignment was with the Naval Space and Weapons Unit at Patrick AFB. He retired in 1993 at the rank of Captain.

While in the Reserves, Tom worked as an account executive at McCalls and Westvaco Pulp and Paper in New York City, where he met and married Charlene in 1968. The couple relocated to PA where they purchased the Atco Pulley Co. in Wilkes-Barre. When the 1972 flood destroyed their factory, Tom and Charlene moved to Ft. Lauderdale, where they formed a property investment and management company, Intercontinental Investment Properties, and resided for nearly 50 years.

Tom found great joy in sailing, world travel and service with the Fort Lauderdale Navy League and Church by the Sea. He enjoyed socializing with family and friends, chatting with Victoria Park neighbors and spending time with his dog, Mako, and grandchildren, Lilly and Cayden.

Remembrances may be made as contributions to Church by the Sea at https://www.thechurchbythesea.org/.

Interment will be in the South Florida National Cemetery.