The Jersey Shore has lost one of its most esteemed and beloved residents with the passing of Thomas Joseph Philburn, affectionately known as Tom, TJ, dad, uncle, brother, Captain, and Poppop on May 9, 2024.
Born on a crisp, wintery Thursday December day in 1954, in Middletown, New Jersey to Marion Hunt and William Philburn. Tom was born, raised and lived most of his days in New Jersey. His life and legacy deeply interwoven within the communities he loved and served in Monmouth and Ocean counties.
Tom’s early years were shared with his siblings, Laura, and Helen being a loving, kind, and protective older brother. His journey began with the Boy Scouts, leading him to St. James in Red Bank, graduating from Red Bank Catholic High School in 1973. Briefly becoming a lifeguard along the Jersey Shore. His thirst for adventure and sailing led him to become a Petty Officer in the US Navy.
He ultimately received his degree from Stockton University. Before this he attended the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, New Jersey City University, and finally Brookdale Community College where he met the love of his life, Patti Coco. They later married in 1983 at St. Michaels on Ocean Avenue in Long Branch. It was briefly after marrying when Tom laid the foundation for what would become a distinguished career in law enforcement. Starting in Juvenile Detention facilities, later retiring as Captain of the Monmouth County Sheriff’s Department.
Tom and Patti embarked on a journey of love, partnership, and family welcoming two amazing daughters: Amanda in 1985 and Christina in 1986.
Tom’s life was rich with hobbies that reflected his love for nature, forestry, camping, and family. His many passions include model trains, Seton Hall Basketball games, and golfing with his dad, family, and friends, playing in various baseball leagues, Giants Season Tickets, his boat, the Green Bay Packers, talking about his « Navy days » loving the New York Mets, Lakewood Blue Claws, and earlier days at the Trenton Thunder.
Tom also loved planting fruits and vegetables, gardening with his wife, displaying firework presentations at family holidays, slammin’ peanut butter, quoting his favorite movies, lots of inside jokes and of course dying doing the thing he loved most consistently: cycling.
All revealing the depth of his love for celebration, joy, excitement, service, God, country, and family.
He volunteered at Forestburg Scout Reservation, by this time he was a proud Eagle Scout, Meals on Wheels of Monmouth County, and frequently donated to organizations that he felt deeply connected to including: the FOP, Shriners Children Hospital, Jersey Shore Rescue Mission, and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Hospital.
But it was his role as a Poppop to Owen William and Abigail Grace that Tom cherished above all. Tom’s presence was a constant as his grandkid’s sporting events, recitals, and any other significantly supportive family events.
Predeceased by his parents Marion and Bill, his sister Helen, and most recently his wife of 41 years, Patti. Tom’s legacy is carried forward by his loving children Amanda, and son-in-law Bill Walsh. And his youngest daughter Christina and partner Barbara Bousquet. Two adoring grandchildren: Owen and Abby, his very close sister Laura, and brother-in-law, Anthony Krug, his very close sister-in-law Frances Fuoco, his godchildren (Angela and Allison), nieces/nephews, cousins, and many extended family, friends, neighbors, and community members.
Memorial Visitation will be held on Saturday, May 18th from 12-3 pm, with a service at 2:15 pm at Thompson Memorial Home, 310 Broad St, Red Bank, NJ 07701. In a fitting tribute to a man who loved service and his family, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Shriner’s Children Hospital, CHOP, Jersey Shore Rescue Mission or Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Hospital.
Thomas Joseph Philburn was a man of integrity, a beacon of love for his family, and a gentleman of service. His legacy, and laugh, will continue to inspire, and his memory will forever be etched in the hearts of those who knew and loved him. Rest in Peace, Freebird.
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