Thomas R. Marron, age 92, of Clifton, died on Sunday, December 14, 2014.

The fourth of Edward and Ida Marron’s five children, Tom was born in Washington Heights, NY and grew up in NY where he remained until moving to Clifton in 1964. As a child he spent many summers working on the family’s farm in Jamesburg, NJ because his parent felt he’d only get in trouble if he spent summers in the city. Because of the time spent on that farm, Tom developed a life-long love for working outdoors. Saturdays were meant for completing chores including manicuring his lawn and tending to his gardens where he grew tomatoes and beautiful flowers. He loved how his Forsythia bushes bloomed brilliant yellow in early spring, ushering in the promise of warmer weather. After the chores were done, he would often relax in his lawn chair to read the newspaper while listening to the Mets game playing in the background on his little transistor radio. Tom was a devoted Mets fan and his son Bob remembers how Tom took him to that 1969 playoff game when the Mets clinched the pennant.

One day when Tom was around eighteen years old, he tagged along with his buddy who was going to ITT Corporation to interview for a job. The gentleman who was interviewing his friend asked Tom if he was interested in a job too. Tom started working as a shipping clerk. Two years later, in 1943, he enlisted in the United States Navy where he proudly and bravely served his country as a sailor during World War II. He was involved in nine invasions and was the recipient of seven battle stars for tours served in Italy, Africa, and the South Pacific. He didn’t talk about the Navy much unless you asked him. If you asked though, Tom would tell you about picking up paratroopers and the one time events were so intense, he actually asked God to take his life! Upon the completion of the war, he was honorably discharged from the Navy. He came home and resumed his position as a shipping clerk with ITT Corp, staying with the company for fifty years and working his way up through the ranks to the position of Senior Purchasing Agent until retiring in 1995.

Despite the satisfaction he gained from his profession, Tom’s family was always his first priority. If his kids needed his attention, he always stopped what he was doing to help them out. He was a good listener and their number one support. Even when they found themselves in situations that didn’t make him happy, they could always count on Dad to find a way out if they needed him to. Tom was equally-adoring of his grandchildren. They were his world and his daughter Allyson recalls how Tom would care for her daughter Samantha so she could go to work.

Tom always dreamed of being a cowboy, so for many years, the annual family vacations took place at the Rocking Horse Dude Ranch in New Paltz, NY. Tom walked around in his cowboy boots and even rode a horse once or twice. His kids loved that tradition as much as the other family vacation destination…..summers down at the Jersey Shore. They usually stayed anywhere between Point Pleasant and Seaside Heights and Dad will always be fondly remembered for taking everyone miniature golfing (he loved it!) and on early morning walks to Kay’s Bakery for crumb buns. Country music was his genre of choice and Tom enjoyed the classic sounds of Johnny Cash, Gene Autry and Tex Ritter. He was always kind to man’s best friend and found a special companionship with Pierre – his little poodle, and Max – his Bishon Frise. Once he owned a Model T.

Tom was a deeply religious man who walked close to God. You always knew you could find him in church on Sunday mornings and for many years he was a faithful parishioner of St. Paul’s Parish in Clifton. His faith taught Tom to be charitable and some of his favorite charities included St. Labre Indian Catholic High School in Ashland Montana, the ASPCA, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, and the Wounded Warrior Project.

While his family mourns his passing, they also celebrate his life because Tom knew what it meant to enjoy life. He’d talk to anyone, took life in stride and loved to laugh. He was known for saying “Bye now”. Tom has said his last “Bye now” for now, but you can almost hear him saying “See you soon.”

Surviving are his three dear children: Robert Marron and wife Denise of Astoria, NY, Allyson Minnella of Wayne, and Thomas Marron and wife Edith of Chandler, AZ; five adored grandchildren: Samantha, Jamie, Anthony, Alyssa, and Thomas; his sister Alice Ciulla of Georgia; and his brother Arthur Marron and wife Maryann of Whitestone, NY. Thomas was predeceased by his sister Elizabeth Ciulla and his brother Edward Marron.

In lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy in Thomas’ name are asked to consider the Wounded Warrior Project, PO Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675 (www.WoundedWarriorProject.org).