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Thomas A. Daly Jr., 86, passed away on May 16, 2022.
A long-time resident of Ho-Ho-Kus, Tom was born in Jersey City on September 26, 1935, to Thomas and Elizabeth (Rosa) Daly. He spent his formative years in Clifton and spoke often and fondly of growing up there. He was especially proud of his first job, working for Mrs. Hanna Krause at her original candy store. Chocolates from Hanna Krause would become a long-standing tradition at his house every Valentine’s Day and Easter.
Tom began his college career at Newark College of Engineering, but soon discovered a different calling and transferred to William Paterson University, where he would earn his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Education. It was also at William Paterson where he would meet his beloved wife Peggy (Byrem), known to all as Brim, who predeceased him in 2004. Tom began his teaching career as a middle school math teacher and eventually became Principal at River Vale Middle School from where he retired in 1990. He still delighted in running into former students and receiving notes from his former teachers who considered him the best principal a teacher could ever have.
Peg and Tom were very active in Ho-Ho-Kus and delighted in the fellowship within the community, especially the musical productions. Tom was a renaissance man with a wide variety of interests. A fixture at Watkins Glen Racetrack for the Formula 1 Grand Prix races, he also drove rally race cars in the early 1960’s and loved to talk about his racing days. Tom had a beautiful voice and was a member of a capella group The Last Gasp, who were famous for their cover of the Bee Gees “Staying Alive,” and he delighted in showing off the CDs that they had recorded over their 25 years together. Recent years would find him monitoring the weather as our own amateur meteorologist, working out with his “girlfriends” at the Valley Fitness Center in Mahwah or diligently working on his puzzles with his “girlfriends” at Senior Connections in Waldwick.
Tom served his country, both in the National Guard during the early 1960’s as well as in the Ho-Ho-Kus Fire Department where he was a member for many years. He enjoyed sports of any type, both as a participant and spectator and loved to cheer on his favorite Rangers, Yankees/Mets, and Penn State. In his youth, Tom was an avid skier and baseball player; he played ice hockey at the semi-professional level in his 20’s and competitively into his 50’s and was a member of the Ho-Ho-Kus Men’s Bowling League for over 20 years.
Tom spent many wonderful days pursuing his great passion for golf. Locally he belonged to the Ramsey Duffers, and he was a member of the Corey Creek Golf Club near the family cottage on Mountain Lake, Pennsylvania where he enjoyed summers on the lake. Tom and Peg were long-time volunteers at the LPGA Corning Classic each May, where he worked as a scorekeeper. In addition to his hole in one, one of his proudest athletic achievements was being presented the Spirit of the Ramsey Duffers Award “In recognition of his sportsmanship, fellowship, good humor, awareness and respect of others” – one of only 4 members to receive the award since it’s inception in 2003.
Tom was a family man and by far his greatest pleasure came from spending time with family, most, especially his beloved grandchildren. “Gpa” was never so proud as when he could brag about them to all who would listen. Tom is survived by his son Tucker and his wife Sue, daughter Megan and her husband Mike Pagliaro and his grandchildren Shane Daly and Kristen and Anna Pagliaro. He is also survived by his brother Alan Daly and his wife Joanne of Covington, Kentucky, his nephews Nate and Chris and their families and many, many cousins.
Tom was a kind and gentle soul with a twinkle in his eye and an infectious laugh. He will be dearly missed by all who knew him.
The Daly and Pagliaro Family will have visitation on Friday June 3, 2022, at Vander Plaat Funeral Home, www.vpfh.com (http://www.vpfh.com), 257 Godwin Avenue Wyckoff, NJ at 3:00pm to 6:00pm. Funeral Service will follow at 6:00pm.
In lieu of flowers donations to Ho-Ho-Kus Volunteer Fire Department would be greatly appreciated. https://hhkfire.com/donate/ (https://hhkfire.com/donate/)
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