Tom and I were partners in old group 4, later group 23 in the DEA office in New York in 1971 under Supervisor Lennie Vechione. We were then together at the La Guardia office of the airport group. We shared many times together with drug cases, laughter, and more than a few beers.  The Shark was a total New York Irishman, a true friend, and a terrific agent.  He was larger than life and I am honored to have worked with him.

Jim Conklin

I first met Tom in the First Grade of St. Mary's Grammar School on the Bronx. Even back then Tom was larger than life and known by everyone in the school, particularly the Nuns. Over the years, we had many laughs sharing memories of that time. We went to different High Schools but were reunited at Iona college. We spent many mornings, no matter what the weather, hitchhiking to get to school. We marched every year in the St Patrick's Day.
Tom was one of a kind and my wife and I offer our condolences to the Condolences to the family.
Bob and Ann Marie Dougherty

I first met Tom in the first grade at St. Mary's Grammar School in the Bronx. We had many laughs sharing our memories of those times.. Even then Tom was larger than life. He was well known by everyone in the school, particularly by the Nuns. We went to different High Schools but reunited again at Iona College. We spent many mornings hitchhiking to school, no matter what the weather.   Every year we marched in the St. Patrick's Day Parade. After college, we hoisted a few in Inwood.
We offer our sincere condolences to his family. 
 Bob and Ann Marie Dougherty

Tom, u were a great friend to us for the past 60+ years. U can go thru life & have many friends, but. none can compare to u. You will be missed by many. Please know we will always love u.

Tom Sharkey is a legend---a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, friend and colleague.

There are too many "Sharkey " stories to list.  But I do remember that when I first met Tom many years ago,  our dear friend Tom Higgins told me "......that while Tom Sharkey has some great stories, never sit or stand next to him while he is telling the story!!".   I think many of you know and experienced what he meant.

Love  and miss him,  and wish his family "All the best!!

John Fitzgerald

Rest in Peace Old Friend.  You belong to the ages now.

- Andrew Sherbine

Tom was on the DEA panel that hired me in 1986, and I had the honor to later work with him in both Newark and New York.  He was an awesome man to be around, providing us all with many memorable and humorous moments.  He had a common sense answer for every problem presented to him, a trait which was becoming hard to find in the DEA management by the late 1990s.  I was fortunate to have worked with many solid agents in New York, and Tom was right there at the top, a true DEA New York Legend ! 
My condolences to his entire family, may he rest in peace.....

God bless the Sharkey family.
I worked with Tom in New York.
Tom was a very good man.

Respectfully,
Dr. Dick Inscore

It's very hard for me to write this today. I only found out today. Tom was a buddy of mine always teasing me about dating one of the bouncers from the Inwood Lounge in the 1960's. I visited Tom recently while he was rehabbing. We always had a few laughs together. Go with you now me boyo! It was wonderful knowing you. May your memory be eternal🙏❤️⚘️

Tom and I were hired by BNDD in New York on the same day, June 30.1971. We became good friends over the years and I always had a lot of laughs whenever we got together. Occasionally I would run into him at Bum Rogers Restaurant near Long Beach Island.
He was always a "stand up guy" and an agent you could depend on.
Rest in Peace my friend

Bill Healey

So very sad to hear of the passing of one of my oldest friends, someone I have known since our first meeting on the Mount St. Michael Track team in least 1956.  As fate would have it, Tom and I reunited in BNDD in the late 60's and actually worked together on the celebrated Cefalu international case during the early 80's. Later on, in the mid-eighties, we found ourselves together again in a more up close situation when he was a Group Supervisor at the Newark DO  while I was the SAC. 
Nothing but fond memories of Tom as we often challenged each other on old movie or TV trivia questions or just memories of growing up in the 1950's.  
Sincerest  condolences to Susan and the family.

Glen Cooper

Sorry to hear of the passing of my friend. Even though we were from opposite ends of the country we bonded and became friends almost instantly.  This was probably due to our shared experience ala: USMC, BNDD and DEA.  I always looked forward to schools or TDY if Tom was going to be there.
RIP my friend,
Scott Meadows
Williams, AZ

My deepest condolences to Tom's wife and family. I had the pleasure of knowing and working with Tom for many years. His dedication to his work and great sense of humor always made the toughest assignments more enjoyable.  Thank you, Tom, for your service to our country and for being a wonderful friend and coworker. May you rest in peace until we meet again.

I was a brand new agent when I reported to New York and there I met Tom. Tom was one of those legends that everybody revered and respected. One of the old guard that garnered the justified respect of everybody. Heaven is a better place for having Tom and I will keep him and his family in my prayers. 
Bill Atwell

Dear Susan and family. So very sorry for your loss of Tom.  He was always so welcoming and humorous.  Enjoyed sharing stories of mutual friends and  how he showed Jim and I around on a visit to Washington DC. May he Rest In Peace.

OBITUARY

Thomas J. Sharkey

January 24, 1943 – February 19, 2026

Michael J. Higgins Funeral Service

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Past Services

Visiting - Higgins Congers

Funeral Mass- St. Paul's

Burial Gethsemane Cemetery