Thomas F. Halpin III

Thomas F. Halpin, III, age 66, of Vernon Township, passed away on Thursday, December 19, 2019 while family was lovingly gathered by his side.

Tom was born in New York City, and lived in Rosedale, Queens until the age of thirteen. His family then moved to Northvale, NJ where he attended Northern Valley Regional High School in Old Tappan, and played on the school’s varsity baseball and soccer teams. After graduating from high school with the Class of 1971, Tom went on to earn a Bachelor’s degree from Western New England University.

Tom’s first job out of college was as a wholesale buyer with Trousers Up, a clothier in Moonachie. In 1978 he began working for New Jersey Manufacturers Insurance Company as an auto claims adjuster. Over the course of his 38 years with NJM until retirement in 2016, Tom worked his way up the ranks to Litigation Claims Representative. He enjoyed a long and rewarding career in which one of his greatest rewards was meeting his wife-to-be Maureen Grish who began working at NJM in 1979. Tom and fellow workers had a tradition of gathering after work on Fridays at the local Holiday Inn for happy hour. It was there that he and Maureen really got to know one another. They began dating and ultimately married on November 29, 1980 at St. George’s Church in Paterson.

Tom and Maureen lived in Wayne before purchasing their first home in Vernon Township a year later, where they have remained to the present. There they welcomed their daughter Nicole and twin sons Tommy and Eric. Tom adored his kids and always took a real interest in them. When they were young, he loved being a regular volunteer as one of their coaches for their soccer, baseball, and basketball teams and, no matter what his kids chose to get involved in, Tom was always right there alongside them getting involved in that activity too. He took special attention to look closely after his son, Tommy.  The whole family will always have fond memories of vacationing every summer down the Jersey shore at LBI.  

Tom just loved being in the great outdoors. In his younger years, he enjoyed camping on Turtle Island in Lake George, and after moving to Vernon he would often take rides on his ATV.  He loved kayaking on nearby Cliffwood Lake, and  going to the rifle range.  Sandy, his sidekick German Shorthaired Pointer, would often accompany him on his adventures. Tom also loved working in his yard which he kept in impeccable shape and was an avid griller. In fact, outdoors or in the kitchen, Tom enjoyed cooking and his family were always happy recipients of his culinary creations.

Whether volunteering in his community as a forest service member and Hardyston Ambulance Corps member, or just doing his best to love, care and provide for his family, in his low-key, easy-going and humble manner, Tom will be forever loved by all who had the privilege of having him in their life.

Tom was the beloved husband of Maureen (nee Grish), blessed in marriage for 39 years. He was the most loving father of: Nicole Halpin, Thomas F. Halpin, IV, and Eric Halpin; cherished son of Vivian Halpin and the late Thomas F. Halpin, Jr.; and dear brother of Laura Halpin.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to the Vernon Township Ambulance Squad, Inc, P.O. Box 236, Vernon, NJ 07462, would be appreciated.