Obituary for Thomas J. Furey
Thomas J. Furey Jr. passed away at the age of 89 on December 13th, 2022, while at his winter home in Tamarac, Florida. For almost 20 years Thomas enjoyed his winters there, taking breaks from the Northeast cold and enjoying the community and the sun. A familiar face at Sunday brunch buffets and dinner events with friends, Thomas especially enjoyed dancing with his beloved companion Lydia Pignata, who predeceased him in 2017. Each summer Tom and Lydia returned to New Jersey to spend their summers together closer to their respective families. While in New Jersey, Thomas often retreated north to his residence at Panther Lake.
Most recently residing in Belleville, NJ, Thomas was formerly a resident of Nutley, NJ, where he raised his family of seven children with his former wife Maryrose (Murphy) Furey. Thomas was born and grew up in nearby Bloomfield, graduating from Bloomfield High School and attending Seton Hall University where he served in the ROTC. After graduating college Thomas served in the United States Army. He was stationed at Fort Dix NJ, spent most of his active duty deployed to Korea, and was honorably discharged in 1957. Thomas continued in the Army Reserves and retired from his service there as a Captain.
Thomas retired from The Bank of New York in Manhattan in the late 90’s after more than 30 years with the bank. He worked primarily as a Systems Analyst and was involved with developments that included the bank’s early computer systems and their very first ATM machines. His early career included positions at Tiffany's of New York and The Prudential in Newark.
Thomas loved food, be that at family events or going out for a filet or barbecued ribs, often accompanying meals with a whiskey sour or Manhattan. Rutt’s Hut hot dogs with sauerkraut were a favorite, and he was especially enthusiastic about all-you-can-eat buffets, in most recent years at the Golden Corral in Tamarac.
Thomas could usually be found puttering around the house doing odd jobs. He especially enjoyed creating seasonal displays and decorating for every holiday. For as long as any of his children or grandchildren can remember, Thomas took great pleasure in his hobbies, building scenes with model trains, model villages, figurines, and unique lighted displays with his collectables, often using repurposed items he treasured. It was always Christmas at Grandpa’s with multiple model train collections set up and running. Additionally, Thomas often used his skills and imagination to create unique quirky gifts for his family and friends.
Thomas was the beloved son of Thomas J. Furey Sr. and LaVine Farrell. Thomas is survived by his loving sister, Helen and her husband Bill Borak, and his six devoted children, Thomas, Ann, John and his wife Leslie, Edward and his partner Alana, James and his wife Ann, and Mary and her husband James Zaremba. He is also survived by his 16 admiring grandchildren, Kristen, Charlie, Liam, Eric, Alexandra, Stephanie, Ian, Michael, Matthew, Mercy, Joseph, Jonathan, James, Francis, Paige, Olivia, and his six dear great-grandchildren and multiple nieces and nephews.
Thomas was predeceased by his son Joseph F. Furey of Nutley, NJ, his brother James L. Furey of Harvey Cedars, NJ, and second wife Gloria (Steinmetz) Furey of Belleville, NJ.
Visitors will be received at the funeral home on Monday, December 19, 2022 from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM at S.W. Brown & Son Funeral Home, 267 Centre Street, Nutley, NJ.
The funeral will be Tuesday, December 20, 2022, at 9:30 AM at S.W. Brown & Son Funeral Home, 267 Centre Street, Nutley, NJ.
The funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 AM at St. Mary’s Church, 17 Monsignor Owens Pl, Nutley, NJ.
The interment will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery, 340 Ridge Rd, North Arlington, NJ.
Most recently residing in Belleville, NJ, Thomas was formerly a resident of Nutley, NJ, where he raised his family of seven children with his former wife Maryrose (Murphy) Furey. Thomas was born and grew up in nearby Bloomfield, graduating from Bloomfield High School and attending Seton Hall University where he served in the ROTC. After graduating college Thomas served in the United States Army. He was stationed at Fort Dix NJ, spent most of his active duty deployed to Korea, and was honorably discharged in 1957. Thomas continued in the Army Reserves and retired from his service there as a Captain.
Thomas retired from The Bank of New York in Manhattan in the late 90’s after more than 30 years with the bank. He worked primarily as a Systems Analyst and was involved with developments that included the bank’s early computer systems and their very first ATM machines. His early career included positions at Tiffany's of New York and The Prudential in Newark.
Thomas loved food, be that at family events or going out for a filet or barbecued ribs, often accompanying meals with a whiskey sour or Manhattan. Rutt’s Hut hot dogs with sauerkraut were a favorite, and he was especially enthusiastic about all-you-can-eat buffets, in most recent years at the Golden Corral in Tamarac.
Thomas could usually be found puttering around the house doing odd jobs. He especially enjoyed creating seasonal displays and decorating for every holiday. For as long as any of his children or grandchildren can remember, Thomas took great pleasure in his hobbies, building scenes with model trains, model villages, figurines, and unique lighted displays with his collectables, often using repurposed items he treasured. It was always Christmas at Grandpa’s with multiple model train collections set up and running. Additionally, Thomas often used his skills and imagination to create unique quirky gifts for his family and friends.
Thomas was the beloved son of Thomas J. Furey Sr. and LaVine Farrell. Thomas is survived by his loving sister, Helen and her husband Bill Borak, and his six devoted children, Thomas, Ann, John and his wife Leslie, Edward and his partner Alana, James and his wife Ann, and Mary and her husband James Zaremba. He is also survived by his 16 admiring grandchildren, Kristen, Charlie, Liam, Eric, Alexandra, Stephanie, Ian, Michael, Matthew, Mercy, Joseph, Jonathan, James, Francis, Paige, Olivia, and his six dear great-grandchildren and multiple nieces and nephews.
Thomas was predeceased by his son Joseph F. Furey of Nutley, NJ, his brother James L. Furey of Harvey Cedars, NJ, and second wife Gloria (Steinmetz) Furey of Belleville, NJ.
Visitors will be received at the funeral home on Monday, December 19, 2022 from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM at S.W. Brown & Son Funeral Home, 267 Centre Street, Nutley, NJ.
The funeral will be Tuesday, December 20, 2022, at 9:30 AM at S.W. Brown & Son Funeral Home, 267 Centre Street, Nutley, NJ.
The funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 AM at St. Mary’s Church, 17 Monsignor Owens Pl, Nutley, NJ.
The interment will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery, 340 Ridge Rd, North Arlington, NJ.