Thomasina “Tommie” Martellacci

Thomasina L. Martellacci “Tommie”, 85, of Wayne, passed away peacefully on Monday, May 10, 2021.

The third of Rocco and Lucille Verniero’s four children, Thomasina was born and raised in Newark, NJ. She graduated from Central High School with the Class of 1953 and was proud to be a cheerleader for the Central High Blue Devils.

After graduation, Tommie worked as a secretary for ITT. It was there that she met Gene Martellacci. They soon fell in love and married on December 1st 1956. Tommie and Gene’s first home as husband and wife was in an apartment in Paterson. While there, they welcomed their firstborn - a son who they named Gene. Soon after, Gene’s work necessitated a move to Illinois and while there, they welcomed their second child – a daughter who they named Lucy. When able to relocate back to New Jersey, this growing family moved to Waldwick where the family grew a little bit bigger with the arrival of child number three – another son which they named John. In 1965, the whole family moved one more time, into a brand new home in Oakland.

Tommie divided her duties between caring for her children and being Gene’s right hand sidekick in a plastics packaging business they started together called TOMA Plastic Packaging. The business began in their garage at home and, once established, moved it to Jefferson.

They say that you can take a person out of Newark, NJ but you can’t take Newark out of the person. Well, that saying fit Tommie perfectly! While Gene would affectionately refer to Tommie as “Tootsie” her three children had a different name for her – “Tough Tommie” – because she loved and protected them like a mama bear protecting her cubs. She was the greatest mom a kid could ask for and loved her family with great devotion. When her children were young, Tommie accompanied them to all their sporting events and even volunteered as an Oakland Rec coach and selling refreshments at the concession stand. The family enjoyed annual summer vacations to Wildwood Crest where Tommie loved the sun and surf. Tommie was the finest cook in the world. With fresh grown zucchini, tomatoes, eggplant and other vegetables from her gigantic backyard garden, she made family favorites including pepperoni and sauce and chicken with olives, but the truth of the matter is that everything she cooked was delicious. She loved to host all the big holidays too, and the house always spelled so delicious from the holiday treats she enjoyed baking.

Tommie’s faith in God was a cornerstone of her life. For many years while living in Oakland, she was a faithful parishioner of Our Lady of Perpetual Health Parish. In more recent years, after her husband Gene passed away and she moved to Wayne, she had been a regular parishioner at St. Mary’s Church in Pompton Lakes.

Tommie was a sweet, kind, caring and compassionate person who will be dearly missed by her family and friends who were blessed to have shared life with her.  

Tommie was the beloved wife of Gene, blessed in marriage for 53 years until his passing in 2010. She was the loving mother of Gene and wife Linda Martellacci of Sussex, Lucy and husband Jim Hogan of Wayne, and John Martellacci and fiancé Michelle of Vernon; adored grandmother of: Joey and wife Amy, Gina, Michael and wife Ashlee, James, Justin, and Lucas; and cherished great-grandmother of Vincent and Ivy. Tommie was predeceased by her one sister and two brothers: Dan Verniero, Sam Verniero, and Carmella Muranti.