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May 18, 2012
Services
Funeral services will be held Wednesday, May 23, 2012 at 9 AM from the Vander May Wayne Colonial Funeral Home, 567 Ratzer Road, Wayne then to Our Lady of The Valley RC Church, Wayne where at 10 AM a Funeral Mass will be offered. Friends may visit with the family at the funeral home on Tuesday from 2-4, 6-8 PM.
He will be laid to rest with his wife Alice at the Hollywood Memorial Park in Union.
Thomas J. Rodgers age 85 of New Hope, Pennsylvania formerly of Wayne, passed to his place in heaven on Friday evening, May 18, 2012 with his family at his bedside.
He was born in Newark and had lived his formative years in Irvington. Tom received his formal education at Saint Leo’s Grammar School in Irvington and then at the Irvington High School graduating with the Class of 1944.
Soon after high school he enlisted in the Navy on September 14th, 1944 and served his country until his discharge in June of 1946. He served on the USS Cotton and took pride in the fact that he was in Tokyo harbor on the day that Japan signed the surrender papers on the USS Missouri battle ship. He received the Victory Medal, the Asiatic Pacific Theater Medal and the American Theater Medal. Over the years Tom enjoyed attending Naval reunions and meeting and socializing with a lot of fellow servicemen.
He was employed for years as an Electrotypographer for Art Color Corporation in Dunellen, NJ. He left there and became a Metropolitan Life Insurance agent. He then established his own kitchen remodeling business, The Kitchen Beautician, located in Wayne. This was his passion and he loved
He had lived in Newark before moving to Wayne in 1952. The family lived on Graham Avenue in Wayne which was one of Wayne’s first housing developments. He had a wonderful marriage for fifty-six years to Alice (nee Lewis) Rodgers and together they raised three daughters and a son in Wayne. His children have said, with joy in their hearts, that he was the “Best Dad” in the whole world. After 50 years in Wayne he and his wife retired to New Hope, Pennsylvania in 2002.
Tom and his children were charter parishioners of Our Lady of The Valley RC Church. Tom was active in his church, working at Bingo, helping with ushering, involved with the couples Marriage Encounter group, and was an active member of the Nocturnal Adoration Society of Our Lady of The Valley Church. He was also a member of the Wayne Elks Lodge 2181.
Tom was gifted with a wonderful outgoing personality and as a result he developed many lifetime friendships. He was a man full of love and respect for all and was devoted to his family. He and his family looked forward to the Outer Banks “Week at the Beach” and his famous “Sabrett” hot dog lunch!! The memories from those 20 plus years will be in the family’s hearts forever.
Tom lived life to the fullest and enjoyed everyday he lived, always looking for the best in people. He taught his children and grandchildren the value of hard work, honesty and integrity. He truly enriched the life of everyone he touched. He will be missed by all.
His wife Alice M. Rodgers (nee Lewis) predeceased him in November 2004. Survivors include one son Thomas Rodgers and his wife Evan of Sterling, VA; three daughters Eileen Feigenbaum and her husband Steven of Long Valley, Patricia Simone and her husband Gary of Hillsborough, Nancy O’Brien and her husband William of Summit. Nine grandchildren Emily and David Feigenbaum, Megan Simone Kemph, Jeffrey and Ryan Simone, Michael, Rebecca and Suzanne Rodgers and Bridget O’Brien. He also leaves behind his companion of 7 years, Lyn Hieber, of New Hope Pa.
Those planning an expression of sympathy in Thomas Rodgers memory are asked to consider Eva's Kitchen, 393 Main Street, Paterson, NJ 07501.
If you would like to send a private condolence directly to the family use this condolence section.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday, May 23, 2012 at 9 AM from the Vander May Wayne Colonial Funeral Home, 567 Ratzer Road, Wayne then to Our Lady of The Valley RC Church, Wayne where at 10 AM a Funeral Mass will be offered. Friends may visit with the family at the funeral home on Tuesday from 2-4, 6-8 PM.
He will be laid to rest with his wife Alice at the Hollywood Memorial Park in Union.
May 18, 2012
Services
Funeral services will be held Wednesday, May 23, 2012 at 9 AM from the Vander May Wayne Colonial Funeral Home, 567 Ratzer Road, Wayne then to Our Lady of The Valley RC Church, Wayne where at 10 AM a Funeral Mass will be offered. Friends may visit with the family at the funeral home on Tuesday from 2-4, 6-8 PM.
He will be laid to rest with his wife Alice at the Hollywood Memorial Park in Union.
Thomas J. Rodgers age 85 of New Hope, Pennsylvania formerly of Wayne, passed to his place in heaven on Friday evening, May 18, 2012 with his family at his bedside.
He was born in Newark and had lived his formative years in Irvington. Tom received his formal education at Saint Leo’s Grammar School in Irvington and then at the Irvington High School graduating with the Class of 1944.
Soon after high school he enlisted in the Navy on September 14th, 1944 and served his country until his discharge in June of 1946. He served on the USS Cotton and took pride in the fact that he was in Tokyo harbor on the day that Japan signed the surrender papers on the USS Missouri battle ship. He received the Victory Medal, the Asiatic Pacific Theater Medal and the American Theater Medal. Over the years Tom enjoyed attending Naval reunions and meeting and socializing with a lot of fellow servicemen.
He was employed for years as an Electrotypographer for Art Color Corporation in Dunellen, NJ. He left there and became a Metropolitan Life Insurance agent. He then established his own kitchen remodeling business, The Kitchen Beautician, located in Wayne. This was his passion and he loved
He had lived in Newark before moving to Wayne in 1952. The family lived on Graham Avenue in Wayne which was one of Wayne’s first housing developments. He had a wonderful marriage for fifty-six years to Alice (nee Lewis) Rodgers and together they raised three daughters and a son in Wayne. His children have said, with joy in their hearts, that he was the “Best Dad” in the whole world. After 50 years in Wayne he and his wife retired to New Hope, Pennsylvania in 2002.
Tom and his children were charter parishioners of Our Lady of The Valley RC Church. Tom was active in his church, working at Bingo, helping with ushering, involved with the couples Marriage Encounter group, and was an active member of the Nocturnal Adoration Society of Our Lady of The Valley Church. He was also a member of the Wayne Elks Lodge 2181.
Tom was gifted with a wonderful outgoing personality and as a result he developed many lifetime friendships. He was a man full of love and respect for all and was devoted to his family. He and his family looked forward to the Outer Banks “Week at the Beach” and his famous “Sabrett” hot dog lunch!! The memories from those 20 plus years will be in the family’s hearts forever.
Tom lived life to the fullest and enjoyed everyday he lived, always looking for the best in people. He taught his children and grandchildren the value of hard work, honesty and integrity. He truly enriched the life of everyone he touched. He will be missed by all.
His wife Alice M. Rodgers (nee Lewis) predeceased him in November 2004. Survivors include one son Thomas Rodgers and his wife Evan of Sterling, VA; three daughters Eileen Feigenbaum and her husband Steven of Long Valley, Patricia Simone and her husband Gary of Hillsborough, Nancy O’Brien and her husband William of Summit. Nine grandchildren Emily and David Feigenbaum, Megan Simone Kemph, Jeffrey and Ryan Simone, Michael, Rebecca and Suzanne Rodgers and Bridget O’Brien. He also leaves behind his companion of 7 years, Lyn Hieber, of New Hope Pa.
Those planning an expression of sympathy in Thomas Rodgers memory are asked to consider Eva's Kitchen, 393 Main Street, Paterson, NJ 07501.
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