Thomas J. Connolly

On Tuesday, September 28, 2021, Thomas J. Connolly, beloved husband, father, and grandfather, passed away at 86.

On June 3, 1935, Tom was born in Paterson, NJ, to Thomas F. and Frances Connolly. He graduated from Drake University in Iowa. He served in the U.S. Army, which he recalled fondly, then had a successful advertising career on Madison Avenue. He later joined, then ran, the family industrial insulation business and was a natural salesman. He married Patricia McDermott Connolly, whom he met at the Jersey shore, in 1962. They raised two children, Thomas Jr. and Kimberly, in Bergen County. Tom served on the Washington Twp. Volunteer Fire Fighter for more than ten years. They later resided in Montvale for many years, then retired to Toms River, where they had a wide circle of friends and enjoyed pursuing their many interests.

Tom had a passion for painting, drawing cartoons, and playing tennis. While serving in the Army, he had a comic strip called "Jackson Jollity" and more recently created the "Lois & Clark" comic strip for his community paper. Tom filled the loft in his home with his watercolors, drawings, and cartoons. It was also full of all things related to tennis and he recently ranked high in an Octogenarian Tennis Tournament at his Lake Ridge community. Always upbeat, Tom will be remembered for his effortless sense of humor, artistic talents, prowess on the tennis court, and love for his family. 

Tom is survived by his wife Patricia and his children, Thomas Jr. (Agnes) and Kimberly (John Peyton), his sister Midge Spittel (late Robert), brother-in-law, Bud McDermott (Angela), sister-in-law, Margaret (Chris), and many nieces and nephews. He was "Pa" to his cherished granddaughters, Meghan Connolly, Ellen Connolly, and Mary Connolly, who inherited his tennis, art, and business talents. On Thursday, October 7, 2021, a funeral service will be held at 12:30 p.m., at the Timothy E. Ryan Home for Funerals, 145 St. Catherine Blvd, Toms River, NJ. There will be a viewing beginning at 10:30 a.m.

Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.ryanfuneralhome.com.

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