Thomas Drag

Thomas John Drag, age 69, of Pompton Plains passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, August 15th surrounded by his loving family after a long illness. After 10 years of being apart, he is finally reunited with the love of his life, Renee.

Tom was born to Edward and Ann Drag (nee Lynch) in North Tarrytown, NY (now Sleepy Hollow). He was the second oldest of 5 children.

Tom and his family moved to the Packanack Lake section of Wayne in June of 1962. He is a 1969 graduate of DePaul High School. He then enrolled at the College of Insurance (now St. John’s), graduating Cum Laude with a BBA in 1974.

Tom met the love of his life Renee (nee Haggar) through his best friend Russ. Their first real date was Renee’s senior prom in 1973. They fell in love and were married on May 15th 1976 at Immaculate Heart of Mary in Wayne, NJ.

After their honeymoon in Aruba, they settled into their new apartment at Beaver Brook in Lincoln Park before moving onto Mary Place in Pequannock and finally settling on Whipple Road in Pompton Plains.

Tom was an eager volunteer within Pequannock Township. He was happy to help, whether it was coaching baseball or serving as a commissioner of the local PAL football program, especially if it involved spending time with his children. Tom was also a founding member of the Pequannock Boys and Girls Club spending countless hours turning an abandoned school building into the beginnings of what is now a wonderful facility for the youth of the community. Tom enjoyed many lifelong friendships from his volunteer work in Pequannock.

Tom had a 45-year career in the Insurance Industry, spending over 35 of those years at Alexander & Alexander/AON. His work allowed him to travel the world and make lifelong friends with colleagues from across the globe. He took great pride in his work and became a mentor to many in the insurance industry. Aon in New Jersey still gives the “Tom Drag Award” to an employee who goes above and beyond for a fellow employee.  He worked on the 105th floor of the World Trade Center, but his life was spared on September 11th, 2001. He lost hundreds of close friends and colleagues on 9/11, which impacted him for the rest of his life. He decided to retire in 2015 as a Senior Vice President to focus on family, but especially his 7 grandchildren.

He was a devoted, attentive, and loving husband, father, and “Pop-Pop”. He fought his illnesses with such tenacity so he could enjoy his children and grandchildren for as long as possible. He loved attending various sporting and school events, jumping waves with them on Long Beach Island, fishing trips to the St. Lawrence River, or simply sitting around telling stories and singing songs. Even when Tom’s health declined, he would Facetime his grandchildren to remind them of how much he loved them.

Tom leaves behind a loving and heartbroken family. He is survived by his three sons; Dr. Thomas John II and his girlfriend Amy Hillenbrand of Fishkill NY, Timothy James and his wife Michelle of Chester NJ, and Daniel Edward and his wife Alysen of Middletown, NJ; his 7 grandchildren, TJ, Thomas John III, Catie, Brody, Cooper, Gavin, and Royce; his siblings Edward Drag II of Columbus NJ, Robert Drag of Maple Grove, MN,  Martin Drag of Pompton Plains, NJ  and his beloved sister Jane Crank of Wayne, NJ.; as well as many nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his name to the Boys and Girls Club of Northwest NJ at 19 Oak Avenue, Pequannock, NJ 07440 or St. Jude’s Children Research Hospital 501 St. Jude Place Memphis, TN 38105.