Thomas Martin Ettz Jr.

Thomas M. Ettz, age 84, died on Wednesday, June 5, 2024, at Holy Cross Hospital Center in Pompano Beach, FL. Born in Paterson, NJ, he was the son of the late Thomas Ettz and Genevieve (Swed) Ettz. He was preceded in death by his wife of 41 years Cookie (Krowska) Ettz who died in 2001 and his son Thomas Brian Ettz who died in 2020, his significant other of many years Gloria Ann Ford who passed away in 2023. His brother Michael was killed in Vietnam at the age of 20. He is survived by his son Glenn Henry Ettz of Ocean City, MD. There are three grandchildren, Kevin Ettz, Zachary Ettz and Joseph Ettz. Also surviving are his brothers John Ettz of Saddle Brook, NJ and Robert Ettz of Lodi, NJ and several nieces and nephews.

Tom was raised in Lodi, NJ and graduated from Lodi High School in 1957. He received a BS degree in business management from Fairleigh Dickinson University in Madison, NJ and a MBA degree in quantitative analysis from Seton Hall University in South Orange, NJ where he subsequently served for several years as a Business School Assessor of students in the undergraduate business program. He also served as an instructor of Business Management Courses for the University of Phoenix.

Following high school, Tom entered the Navy and was proud to serve for more than 2 years of his total service aboard the USS Saratoga (CVA-60) out of Mayport, FL as a Radioman 2nd Class. After being honorably discharged, he began his first career path working in corporate life for 25 years at several manufacturing companies in Northern New Jersey. Following his last assignment as Vice President at a large ballast manufacturing company headquartered in Paramus, NJ, Tom moved to Ocean City, MD. He began his 30-year career in real estate with Moore, Warfield & Glick, Inc. in 1991 and was licensed in Maryland and Delaware. Tom was an active member of local and state Realtor Associations in Maryland and in 2004 he was named Realtor of the Year for the state of Maryland and the following year was inducted into the prestigious National Association of Realtors Omega Tau Rho honor fraternity as

a life member.

Tom managed two real estate offices in Ocean City before he and Gloria moved to reside permanently in their vacation home of 3 years Pompano Beach, FL in 2008. He continued his real estate career in Southeast Florida until 2023.

Tom was a life member of the USS Saratoga Association and he and Gloria attended several annual reunions in cities across the country. He was also a member of the National Association of Realtors, Florida Association of Realtors, and local Realtor association Realtors Broward | Palm Beach | St Lucie. Tom held the Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) designation as a member of the Residential Real Estate Council and the Certified Real Estate Brokerage Manager (CRB) designation as a member of the Real Estate Business Institute.

Tom was an avid Nascar fan and he and Gloria were fans of the Baltimore Ravens. But his all-time favorite team since 1948 was the NY Yankees.

A viewing will be held at The Burbage Funeral Home, Berlin MD, on Friday, June 14, 2024 where family and friends may call between the hours of 2-4pm and 6-8pm. A celebration of life will be held at The Burbage Funeral, Berlin MD on Saturday, June 15, 2024 at 12PM followed by interment at Evergreen Cemetery in Berlin. A memorial service will be held at St. Gabriel's Church in Pompano Beach at a later date. Arrangements are in the care of the Burbage Funeral Home in Berlin. Letters of condolence may be sent to the family at www.burbagefuneralhome.com