He received his B.A. degree from St. John's University and his M.A. degree from New York University. He also held an LL.B. law degree.
He spent 9 years in the U.S. Marine Corps during WWII and Korea. He was attached to the Marine Corps First Division which saw action in the South Pacific. Tom served as a weatherman during WWII. After his discharge, he finished is degree work and became a Spanish teacher, followed after 7 years as a Guidance Counselor, and his final 15 years as a secondary school Principal.
His real hobby was boating and he spent over 64 years in the US Coast Guard Auxillary, starting in1955.
He is survived by his daughter Kathy, his son Kevin, four grandchildren and two great grandchildren.
Viewing will be held at Kraeer Funeral Home at 1199 E. Sample Rd., Pompano Beach, FL on Saturday, December 14, 2019 from 2- 6 pm. A funeral mass will be held at St. Gabriel's Catholic Church 731 No. Ocean Blvd., Pompano Beach, FL on Monday, December 14, 2019 at 11:00 am. The burial will be at the South Florida Veterans National Cemetary at 6501 State Road 7, Lake Worth, FL on Tuesday, December 17, 2019 at 10:30 am.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Coast Guard Mutual Assistance Fund CGMAHQ.org. For information, call 800-881-2462.
