Thomas Cummings

Thomas J. Cummings, 69, of Monroe, Connecticut, passed away unexpectedly on March 1, 2015. He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Daria, and his children, Daria and Michael. Mr. Cummings was born on November 4, 1945, the youngest son of the late Edward B. and Mary Hawksley Cummings. He was raised in Philipse Manor and Valhalla, New York. Mr. Cummings, who graduated in 1963 from Archbishop Stepinac High School, received a B.S. degree in accounting in 1967 from Fordham University, where he was a member of the Reserve Officers Training Corps and the Cadet Colonel of the Corp of Cadets. He was also a member of the Pershing Rifles. He graduated from the U.S. Army Ranger School in 1968 and served a tour of duty in Vietnam with the 25th Infantry Division, first as a platoon leader and then as a company executive officer. After his discharge, Mr. Cummings received an M.B.A. from Iona College and was licensed as a C.P.A. in New York State. He began his career as an accountant with General Foods and later worked for Chesebrough-Ponds. For the past 24 years he was employed as a manufacturing controller at Combe, Inc., in White Plains, New York. He served as a former director and treasurer of the Monroe Jaycees, member of the town Economic Development Commission, chairman of the Board of Finance, and member of the Board of Education. He also coached youth baseball, basketball and soccer. Mr. Cummings was a longtime member of the Whitney Farms Men's Club and enjoyed a variety of recreational activities, including golf, tennis, skiing and hiking. In addition to his wife and children, he is survived by his sister, Mary Elizabeth ("Betty") Hanifer and her husband James, and his brother, Edward ("Ted") Cummings and his wife Elaine. He also leaves behind a number of nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and colleagues. He was tremendously loved and will be greatly missed. Visiting hours will be from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday, March 6, at Spadaccino and Leo P. Gallagher & Son Community Funeral Home, 315 Monroe Turnpike, Monroe. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, March 7, at St. Jude Church, 707 Monroe Turnpike, Monroe. Interment will follow at a future date in the spring at Monroe Center Cemetery. Online condolences may be made at www.spadaccinofuneralhome.com