Thomas Stephen Pallone, 66, died at home in Eureka Springs, Arkansas, Aug. 23 while recovering from complex back surgery. The cause of death was heart failure.
Tom was born in Long Branch to the late Carmine and Margaret (Mazza) Pallone and lived for most of his life in Little Silver. He also lived in Princeton and Denver and moved to Arkansas in 2016.
He graduated from St. Jerome School and Christian Brothers Academy and earned an M.A. degree from Miami University, Ohio. After a successful career in IT, and attending seminary for two years, Tom became a paramedic with the New York City Fire Department and remained until retirement.
Tom was a communicant of St. Anthony of Padua Church in Red Bank and a eucharistic minister. He was an Eagle Scout and received the Order of the Arrow Vigil Honor and the national-level Distinguished Service Award. Tom was a counselor at Forestburg Scout Reservation for many years where he taught lifesaving and aquatics. He was also a senior patroller with the National Ski Patrol and a ski instructor, a recreational SCUBA diver and a long distance cyclist.
Tom was a life member of both the Little Silver Volunteer EMS and the Fire Dept. He spent 10 days straight at the World Trade Center site, beginning Sept. 11, 2001. After serving as captain of EMS for six years he was appointed chaplain of the Little Silver Police Dept., EMS and the fire department. After moving to Arkansas he became sacristan of St. Elizabeth of Hungary Church and was slated to become president of the Grassy Knob Fire Department.
Tom is predeceased by his parents. Surviving are his brother Joseph Pallone and wife Catherine and their son Keenan, who live in Alexandria, Virginia. Also surviving are an aunt, Mary (Pallone) Viracola; Caruso cousins Jacqueline (Craig Smith), Lois (Anthony Lupo) and Joanne (Luigi Siciliano); Mazza cousins Dominick (Carolyn), Frank (Ginny), and Loretta (Harry Chebookjian); Pallone cousins Rep. Frank (Sarah), Mayor John (Svetlana), and Mary (Michael) Dekker. And their children: Kristen Smith and Daniel Lupo; Lisa (John) Cummings, Laurie (Robert) Babiak, and Donna (Lonnie) Fortuna; Sarah and Margaret “Maggie” Mazza; Harry (Lori) Chebookjian, and Ericka (Joe) Good; Rose, Celeste and Frank Pallone; John Pallone; and Victoria, Sophia and Ava Dekker.
A memorial gathering took place Sept. 10 at the John E. Day Funeral Home, Red Bank, with a eulogy and honors by the Little Silver EMS and Fire Department. A memorial Mass took place Sept. 11 at St. Anthony Church with interment at Mt. Olivet in Middletown following.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the St. Crispin outreach program which makes a direct difference in the lives of people in need in the Red Bank area with food, clothing and financial assistance. Donations may be made by mailing a check, payable to St. Anthony Church (St. Crispin), ATTN: Br. Donald, 121 Bridge Ave., Red Bank, NJ 07701.
Please visit Tom’s memorial website at johnedayfuneralhome.com.
