Obituary of Thomas Stavish

Thomas James Stavish died peacefully on Friday, January 10, 2014 at the age of 94, at the Wiley Missions Home in Marlton, NJ. He previously resided in Plainfield, Toms River, and Whiting, NJ. Mr. Stavish's joy and passion for life touched many people over the years. He was born on November 1, 1919 in North Plainfield, NJ to Joseph and Mayrose Stavish. He grew up during the depression years and became a musician, playing saxophone, clarinet, piano and organ, a salesman, a master carpenter, and a longtime owner of a tavern/restaurant, TJ's Hideaway in South Plainfield, NJ. He served honorably during World War 2 in the South Pacific, based at Pearl Harbor. He met the love of his life, Elizabeth Veronica Sweeney at Holy Trinity High School in Westfield, and celebrated 50 years of joyful marriage before her death on Christmas Eve in 1993. He is also survived by his cherished children Thomas and his wife, Nancy of Florissant, CO, Joseph and his wife, Judy of Watchung, NJ and Elizabeth Belluscio and her husband, Alex of Whiting, NJ. He was pre-deceased by a son, David, of Aurora, CO. He was also predeceased by his brothers, Joseph, Francis of Barnegat Light, NJ and Gerald of Boise, Idaho and one sister, Rita Ricardo of South Plainfield, NJ. He is survived by a sister, Theresa Kolakowski of South River, NJ and a brother Peter, of Vienna, VA. Tom is also survived by 9 amazing grandchildren, Debbie, Michael, Colleen, Casey, Larry, Thomas, Elizabeth, Andrew and Stephen, who will remember their proud and adoring "Poppo" fondly, and 9 great grandchildren. Visitation will be Sunday, Jan. 12 from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. at Manchester Memorial Funeral Home, 28 Schoolhouse Road, Whiting. A Funeral Liturgy will be offered at 10:45 a.m., Monday, Jan. 13 at the All Saints Chapel of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church, Whiting. Interment will follow at Whiting Memorial Park, Whiting.