Thomas F. Lowe, age 71 of Wayne, NJ, died suddenly and unexpectedly on Saturday, March 3, 2018.  He has lived in Wayne, NJ for over forty years.

Tom was a lawyer and had been an Administrator with the Office of Administrative Law.

Tom was raised in Clifton, NJ and graduated from Seton Hall Preparatory High School in Newark, NJ.  He earned his Bachelor’s Degree from the College of the Holy Cross and began teaching at Kennedy High School in Paterson, NJ upon graduation.  Deciding to serve his country during the Vietnam War, he enlisted in the United States Army.  After completing Officer Training in Fort Dix, he was sent to both Panama and Guam to complete jungle training school and was quickly sent off to Vietnam to serve as a 2nd Lieutenant in the infantry division.  Tom was a decorated soldier, having earned a Bronze Star for distinguished service in combat, and was honorably discharged as a 1st Lieutenant in 1970.  He was grateful to serve his nation and credited his military experience for teaching him the personal management skills that proved useful to him throughout his lifetime.  Tom was a devoted, focused, and exceptionally bright man who believed in helping others reach their true potential.

Upon returning home from Vietnam, Tom took a job as a Probation Officer for Passaic County, NJ.  In 1979, he took the position of Administrative Clerk with the Office of Administrative Law in Newark, NJ and began his long-tenured career in civil service.  In 1980, he was accepted into Seton Hall Law School and earned his Juris Doctorate degree in 1984, all while working and raising two young children.

Early in his career, while working in Passaic County, Tom met Georgina Calcines.  The two of them fell in love and were married on April 23rd, 1978.  Their marriage was defined by love and laughter, as well as “healthy debates,” but it was truly a blessed union.  They promised to never give up on each other and to always be there to support and encourage one another.  Tom and Georgina traveled extensively both within the United States and internationally and shared wonderful memories in many destinations, including Germany, Spain, Italy, Mexico, the Caribbean, Florida, California, and the Grand Canyon in Arizona.  Martha’s Vineyard was one of his favorite vacation destinations, as was the Pocono Mountains, which was very special to him.  Georgina describes their forty years together as “so blessed” and credits their love of their family, their friends, and their faith in God for all they have enjoyed.  Georgina had two young children when they married and Tom selflessly raised them as his own as a dedicated father, mentor, and friend.  Tom coached the children in their childhood sports, even dedicating time to study the rules of sports that he was not familiar with.  He would also attend every school event and activity that he could and was, simply put, a loving and devoted father.  When grandchildren came along years later, he devoted himself to them as well.  In fact, his motivation to retire was his grandchildren!  Tom saw how much time his wife was spending with their grandchildren and became envious, prompting him to submit his retirement letter and join her as a full-time grandpa!  He loved his grandchildren deeply and they will all miss him dearly.

Tom was also a very charitable and selfless man.  He was truly an advocate for those in need and he found great satisfaction volunteering for many causes, such as the St. Mary’s Church Soup Kitchen and their annual Coat Drive.  He was also a volunteer tax preparer for AARP, drove the elderly to medical appointments, and volunteered with CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) for disadvantaged children in New Jersey.  He looked out for the ‘little guy’ whenever possible and gave selflessly to those in need.  He will be dearly missed by the many he helped throughout the years!

Tom is survived by his beloved wife, Georgina, of Wayne, NJ; by his daughter, Georgette Toles and her husband David, Jr. of Pompton Plains, NJ; his son, Dr. Alfredo Lowe and his wife Jackie of Livingston, NJ, and his three grandchildren, David Toles, III and Hailey Toles of Pompton Plains and Carly Lowe of Livingston.  He is also survived by his brother, Brian Lowe and his wife Joan of Florida and Manasquan, NJ; sister, Jane Hawke and her husband Merrill of Brielle, NJ; as well as many nieces and nephews.  Tom was predeceased by his father, John, his brother, Jack, and his mother, Jane.

In lieu of flowers, donations would be appreciated to CASA of New Jersey, 77 Church Street, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, www.casaofnj.org, or to the St. Mary’s Church Food Pantry, 17 Pompton Avenue, Pompton Lakes, NJ 07442.