Thomas A. Nowak

He was born in Brooklyn, NY, and moved to Staten Island 41 years ago. He is survived by his beloved wife, Kathleen (née Deignan); his sons, Michael and Timothy; his sisters, Barbara Cuthel (William) and Paula Caiazzo (Joseph); and many brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces, grandnephews, and grandnieces who all loved him deeply. He was predeceased by his father, Mieczyslaw, and mother, Regina.

Tom attended Xaverian High School and then went to Manhattan College, where he was a triple major. He also graduated from Pace University with a Master of Business Administration.

He had a long career as an insurance executive specializing in Workers’ Compensation. After he retired from American International Group (AIG), he went on to private consulting, and he enjoyed working with the New York Compensation Insurance Rating Board. Tom’s passion for colleagues was evident. He spent his time collaborating with them and encouraging them in their professional lives.

Tom had a deep faith in God. He always had a prayer book or two, or more, nearby. He consistently took time to say his morning prayers in peace and solitude, and he chuckled when in his last week he fell asleep with his orange prayer book on his chest. In the 1970s, Tom attended seminary in Huntington, before leaving with a Master of Arts degree in Theology to support his mom and then beginning a beautiful family. He returned to seminary after the pandemic, now as a lay student with the wisdom of many years, taking classes virtually at St. Joseph’s Seminary. He loved his classes and always expressed that he learned a lot.

He received a Post-Master’s Certificate in Dogmatic Theology, and he had hoped to start learning Greek in the fall. He dreamt (or joked) of completing another Certificate, this time in Liturgy, or beginning a D.Min. program somewhere. He shared his passion for the intellectual, emotional, and prayerful dimensions of Catholic life with members of Sacred Heart Church. He enjoyed spending time with his Bible study group, working with liturgical ministers, and talking about saints and future saints with various groups and parishioners.

Tom had a wealth of knowledge about so many things. You could ask him anything and he had an answer. Sometimes it was so unreal that he knew something that his now-deceased mother-in-law, Mary Deignan, would say, “He’s making that up.” The rest of us thought that on occasion too.

Tom supported his boys in their young years, and he was involved in their sports, activities, and school communities. One year when his son was playing Little League at Snug Harbor, they asked him to umpire. He knew nothing about umpiring. But you can learn when you buy a book. He studied the book and knew the rules better than the seasoned umps!

His passion was reading, thus his great wealth of knowledge. On any given day you would find books of multiple genres on his bedside table including science fiction, history, cooking, business, and more. He would read all of these books at the same time.

He cooked dinner every night, which delighted his wife and his boys. He used his chemistry knowledge to cook. Understanding chemical reactions, ingredient properties, and cooking techniques allowed Tom to create dishes with unparalleled precision and creativity. He was a regular at A&C Superette on Manor Road. With him gone, the family will starve.

Tom loved spending time with his sons, and they shared many meals out together. He enjoyed playing violin with Michael and getting yet another cup of coffee with Timothy. Tom never met a cookie that he didn’t like—and he lived life to its fullest in countless other ways. Above all, he wanted everyone to come into contact with and know the Lord’s hospitality.

Tom’s family and friends loved him greatly. He was a kind, very patient, and gentle soul. He was always upbeat and saw everything in a positive light. He made everyone feel special. Tom was deeply loved by his wife and boys. They will miss him dearly and they are left with a hole in their hearts.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that a memorial gift in memory of Tom be made payable to On Your Mark, Inc., which is a nonprofit providing services to people with disabilities on Staten Island. To direct your contribution to benefit the Manor Road residence, where Michael and his friends live, please clearly note the following in the check memo: 86 Manor Road Residence

The On Your Mark mailing address is 485 Victory Boulevard, Staten Island, NY, 10301.