Thomas Martin Crawley Jr. passed away peacefully Oct. 6, 2024, at the age of 88, surrounded by his loved ones at his home in Middletown.
Born July 25, 1936, in West Orange, Thomas grew up with a love of learning, teaching and coaching that carried him through life. He attended Montclair State College and earned his bachelor’s degree. Later he earned his master’s degree from Monmouth College.
After college, Thomas spent the next 41 years teaching mathematics to high school students of all grades and coaching sports. Many of those years were at Glen Ridge High School, where he was the math department supervisor and coached boys’ basketball, boys’ and girls’ tennis and girls’ softball.
Thomas is survived by his loving wife of 59 years Patricia; his three children, Sharon, Thomas and Lawrence; his four grandchildren, Mason, Bella, Demeter and Liberty; his brother Joseph; and sister Donna.
Thomas’s memory will live on in the hearts of those who knew him. His love and kindness touched many and he will be dearly missed.
Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Oct. 10 at the John F. Pfleger Funeral Home, 115 Tindall Road, Middletown.
Relatives and friends are invited to Pfleger Funeral Home at 9 a.m. Oct. 11 and then at 10 a.m. to St. Mary’s Church, 19 Cherry Tree Farm Road, Middletown, for the funeral Mass. Interment will take place at the Brig. Gen. William C. Doyle Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Wrightstown at a later date.
Arrangements are under the care of O’Boyle Funeral Home in Bloomfield.
The article originally appeared in the October 10 – 16, 2024 print edition of The Two River Times.
