Thomas J. Fudge Sr.

Thomas J. Fudge Sr., husband and father, 93 years young, of Lafayette Street, Tamaqua, joined the Lord in his heavenly Kingdom on Friday, March 29, while convalescing at Blue Mountain Health System's Palmerton Campus. "Sam" is survived by his wife of 69 years, Matilda E. (Valentine) Fudge. He is also survived by two sons, Thomas J. Fudge Jr., and his wife Dolores (Bubrowsky), of Perkasie, and Timothy E. Fudge, and his wife, Dian (Neifert), of Tamaqua.Born in the Seek suburb of Coaldale, he was a son of the late Freddie and Ellen (Bickelman) Fudge.
He was preceded in death by his three beloved sisters, Rose Zelonis, Margaret "Sissy" Christiansen and Mary Fudge.
A Coaldale High School graduate, Thomas was a World War II Army veteran.
Upon honorable completion of his service to the country, he worked as an import/export traffic manager for Pedro Martinto (Peru) and Schaeffer & Krebs, both based in New York City, before retiring in 1982, only to spend the next 20 years as a player assistant at Villas Crossing Golf Course.
Many have remarked that his greatest assisting was done at the pinochle table and not the golf course. Tom Fudge Sr. was a gifted, encyclopedic card player.
He enjoyed fishing and golfing, which he shared unselfishly with his sons, but was most renowned as a master gardener at his Lafayette Street "farm." Sports were his vice, but all things Notre Dame were his passion and obsession, as anyone who had the gumption to challenge his expertise would attest to!
During his wonderful life, Tom Fudge Sr. was a treasured son and brother, a committed husband, a proper soldier, a diverse worker, a beloved father, a loyal friend, and an always spellbinding conversationalist.
He survived the Great Depression, he fought in the Great War, he lived and worked in the world's Greatest City, and was forever Grateful to God for all the wonderful moments he was granted!
Here's to you, Tom, and may your next journey be as rewarding as this one has been!
Service: Mass of Christian Burial 10 a.m. Thursday, April 4, St. Jerome Catholic Church, Tamaqua. Ca;; 6-8 p.m. Wednesday and 8:45-9:30 a.m. Thursday, E. Franklin Griffiths Funeral Home, 655 E. Broad St., Tamaqua. Online registry and condolences maybe signed at www.griffithsfuneralhomes.com.