Obituary of Thomas Robert Colegary

Thomas Robert Colegary, 70, of Freehold Township passed away suddenly on Mon., Oct. 14th, 2024. He was born in Passaic and was raised in Clifton.  Tom attended Clifton High School & graduated from William Paterson University with a BA in Business Administration and a minor in Economics.  He received his MBA from Fairleigh Dickinson University.

Tom dedicated his career to serving the federal government in various capacities. He began at Bendix Corporation while finishing college, then worked as a Quality Assurance Specialist with the DOD, DLA, and Defense Contract Management in Teterboro from 1978 to 1981. He served as an Advanced Weapons Management Specialist for the Dept. of the Navy at NWS Earle in Colts Neck from 1981 to 1984, and then as a Quality Reliability Program Manager for the Dept. of the Army at Fort Monmouth from 1984 to 1987.

Tom played a crucial role as a Shift Chief for the Emergency Operations Center supporting Operations Desert Shield/Desert Storm in 1989. From 1987 to 1995, he supervised engineers and quality reliability managers for the Army. In 1996, he was deployed to Germany as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) for Test and Evaluation for Operation Joint Endeavor. He also served as a Factor Chief for the Source Selection Board for Joint STARS CGS in 1993, 1995, and 2005.

In 2006, Tom was an SME and evaluator for Strategic Services Sourcing potential contractors. Before retiring in 2011, he was a Test and Evaluation Manager at Fort Monmouth. Tom's career was marked by his dedication and contributions to national defense and quality assurance.

Tom married his high school sweetheart Karen in 1976.  They purchased their 1^st home in Clifton later moving to Freehold Township 42 years ago where they raised their two daughters Tara & Shannon.  He also greatly enjoyed his Summer home in Ship Bottom on Long Beach Island.  A jack of all trades, he was a handy man, painter, and fixer of all things. Tom was an avid Yankees and Giants Fan, never missing a game, a fast car enthusiast, beer lover and brewer and famous for the best tomatoes in NJ, grown every summer in his backyard garden.

Tom was predeceased by his daughter, Tara Colegary; granddaughter, Hope Broitman; his sisters, Alison Tiesi and Gail Colegary; and his parents, Thomas R Colegary and Gertrude M Colegary. Thomas is survived by his wife Karen of 48 years, his daughter, Shannon Broitman and her husband, David; grandson, Jack Thomas Broitman; mother-in-law, Dorothy Van Blarcom; brothers-in-laws, Mark Van Blarcom and Vincent Tiesi; and nieces and nephews, Deanna Sacco and her husband, Gerardo, Tyler Van Blarcom and his fiancée, Debbie Doris, Danae DeBlasi, Cory Van Blarcom, and Eric Tiesi.

Tom was thrilled to have been promoted to “Poppa” with the birth of his grandson Jack. He was a strong and soft-spoken man who was generous to his friends, family and many causes dear to his heart.  Even in death, Tom was generous and will be helping burn victims, fire fighters and veterans with his corneas, tissue, and pelvic bone donations. Tom was a great provider and role model to his daughters.  They were his pride and joy.  Though gentle in nature, Tom was loved by many for his wit and sarcastic sense of humor.  He will be greatly missed.  The world has lost a kind soul who will be forever loved and remembered by the many of lives he’s touched.

Visitation will be held at the Clayton & McGirr Funeral Home, 100 Elton-Adelphia Road (Route 524), Freehold Township on Sunday, October 20th, 2024 from 1:00 to 5:00 PM. Relatives and friends are invited to attend his 10:30 AM Funeral Mass on Monday, October 21, 2024 at the Co-Cathedral of St. Robert Bellarmine, 61 Georgia Road, Freehold Township. Interment will follow in Old Tennent Cemetery, 454 Tennent Road, Manalapan.

If you wish to honor Tom, in lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to one of his favorite charities…

Eva’s Village, Hands Together, the Jersey Shore Rescue Mission, Feed the Children, Fulfill or Catholic Charities.

For information, directions, or to leave condolence messages to the family, please visit www.claytonfuneralhome.com