Thomas J. “Tom” Miceli, 78, passed away Sept. 24, 2024, at Riverview Medical Center in Red Bank with his loving family at his side. He was born in Irvington and raised in Roselle before moving to Piscataway in 1975, where he resided with his wife Judith and two daughters for 42 years. In 2017, Tom and Judy relocated to Shadow Lake Village in Middletown.
Thomas graduated from Roselle Catholic High School and earned his B.S. in accounting from Kean College. He began his career at EI DuPont in Linden where he worked for 23 years before continuing his career at Rutgers University for four years. Tom was most proud of serving his country in the United States Army as a Specialist Fourth Class from 1966-1968, including one year in Vietnam. He trained with the 9th Division at Fort Riley, Kansas, and was assigned to the 47th Transport Company while in Vietnam; his tour ended shortly after the Tet Offensive in 1968.
After retiring due to disability, Tom was determined to remain active in a way that benefited his community. In 1991, he began volunteering three days a week at the Haven Hospice of JFK Medical Center in Edison and did so for the next 26 years.
Tom was a proud member of The Vietnam Veterans of America, The American Legion Post 515, and The VFW Post 2179. Tom was a long-time fan of the Raiders football team, dating back to their days in Los Angeles. He liked camping with friends, spending summer vacations at the beach with his extended family, and traveling extensively with his wife. He always made sure to include a visit to the local zoo and breweries wherever he traveled.
Tom loved attending concerts and shows with his wife and friends, even as recently as a month ago. But his greatest pleasure in life was any time spent with his grandchildren and great-granddaughter. He was an adored PopPop and will be greatly missed by many.
Thomas is survived by Judith (Bihler), his loving wife of 58 years; his daughters and their spouses, Cynthia and Jerry Kossyk of Effort, Pennsylvania, and Cathleen and Frank Lonardo of Middletown; his five grandchildren, Amy Kossyk, Jason Kossyk, Abby Lonardo, Alyssa Lonardo, and Emma Lonardo; his great-granddaughter Hannah Gorski; his sister and brother-in-law Patricia (Miceli) and William Vanderzee; and his brother Robert. Tom is also survived by his sisters and brothers-in-law, as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was predeceased by his beloved parents, Antonio and Eileen (O’Neill) Miceli.
Visitation was held Sept. 29 at Evergreen Memorial Funeral Home, Middletown. A funeral Mass was held Sept. 30 at St. Leo the Great Church, Lincroft. Burial followed at Mount Olivet Cemetery, Middletown.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Thomas’ name to the Vietnam Veterans of America at vva.org/donate.
The article originally appeared in the September 26 – October 2, 2024 print edition of The Two River Times.
