Thomas D. Amato

Our beloved father, Thomas Devereux Amato, passed away peacefully on Thursday, August 1, surrounded by family and friends. He was 91 years old.

Tom was born on May 5, 1933, in Cleveland, Ohio, to his loving parents, Thomas and Jean Amato. As a young boy, the family moved to Elizabeth, New Jersey, where Tom would spend over 80 years creating a legacy that will be remembered for generations.

A natural athlete with a particular passion for basketball, Tom's prowess on the court was evident from a young age. He attended Saint Mary's High School in Elizabeth, where in 1951, he led the basketball team to its only undefeated season, becoming state champions over the incumbent powerhouse Jefferson High School.

His talent on the court was undeniable. He earned a scholarship to Niagara University, where he played varsity basketball alongside his lifelong friend and future NBA Hall of Fame coach, Hubie Brown. Unfortunately, Tom's promising basketball career was abruptly halted by a serious motor vehicle accident, but his determination and spirit remained unbroken.

After a long and courageous recovery, Tom served his country with honor as a member of the US Army stationed at Fort Bragg. There, he found his way back to the basketball court, playing for Fort Bragg. Tom’s accomplishments did not go unnoticed as he was inducted into the Elizabeth Athletic Hall of Fame on May 4, 2006.

Following his military service, Tom attended Mount Saint Mary's College in Emmitsburg, Maryland. It was there that he met Patricia Ann (Patsy) Dukehart, the first love of his life. Tom, a business major, graduated with honors, and soon after, with Patsy, an accomplished nurse, began their journey together as husband and wife. They returned to New Jersey to build a wonderful life and family together.

Tom and Patsy were blessed with three sons, Tom, Jim, and Chris, whom they raised with love, integrity, and a deep sense of family values. Tom's commitment to his family was unwavering. He was a pillar of strength and support, especially during difficult times.  

Tom's love for his family was undeniable. He devoted his entire life to the family as its trusted advisor, mentor, coach, and friend. Tom, the family's "go-to guy," never shrugged a request for help; no matter the circumstances, he was always there. His absence will be felt for many years to come. He leaves behind a family that will forever cherish his memory and strive to honor his example of humility, courage, and love.

Tom is survived by his sons, Tom, Jim, and Chris; his daughters-in-law, Paige and Joanne; his grandchildren, Andrew, Catherine, Christian, Matthew, and Emily; his brother Ray; his sister-in-law (Patsy's sister), Jeanie; his loving nieces Mary Kate Cullinan, Kathy Amato, Joanie Amato Ronk (Christian) and his nephew Ray Amato (Doryan), and their families, and of course,

the second love of his life and honorary grandmother, Barbara Cost. The loss of Patsy was devastating for Tom, who mourned for several years, but on a routine visit to the local grocery store, Tom ran into Barbara, a former Saint Mary’s classmate who just happened to be Tom’s date to the senior prom.  The serendipitous meeting was the start of a wonderful, twenty-five-year relationship.

He is reunited in eternal rest with his beloved Patsy, his parents, his sister Marianne Cullinan, her husband Daniel, their granddaughter Maeve, his brother John "Jackie" Amato, and all loved ones who passed before him.

A celebration of Tom's life will be held at Higgins and Bonner Echo Lake Funeral Home, 582 Springfield Ave., Westfield, NJ, on Sunday, August 4, from 3–6 PM. A funeral mass will be held at St. Genevieve's Church, 200 Monmouth Rd, Elizabeth, NJ, at 10:00 AM. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Tom's memory to Memorial Sloan Kettering Hospital www.mskcc.org or Saint Jude Children’s Hospital www.stjude.org