Thomas J. Gilligan

Thomas J. Gilligan, Sr. of Kenilworth passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family on January 18, 2020.  He was 88 years old.

Thomas was predeceased by his beloved wife, Berniece (nee Williams), his parents Ada and Thomas and his sister Adelaide Nardone.  Devoted father of his sons, Thomas Gilligan, Jr., of Kenilworth, Michael Gilligan and his wife Pam, of Watchung, Bob Gilligan and his wife Diane, of Kenilworth, Kevin Gilligan and his wife Nancy, of Kenilworth and daughter Cindy Pitchford and her husband Barry, of Clark.  Cherished grandfather of Adam, Natalie, Valerie, Joey, Bonnie, Joe, Danny, Tara, Jason, Nicole, Brian, Stacey, Meghan, Sean, Joseph, Timothy, McKenzie, John, and Ally.  His great grandchildren, Sonia, Ben, Kathryn, Isabella, London, Autumn, and Kane and many nieces and nephews.

Thomas was born in Newark, NJ on November 15, 1931.  He graduated from St. Michael’s of Newark.  

He was on the Newark Police Department for 30 years before retiring as a Lieutenant.  He also worked for Wilners’ Livery Service for 60 years and retired in 2017.  He was a long time member of the following organizations, Fraternal Order of Police, Union Elks, and The Emerald Society.  He was a baseball coach for all his children and attended all of his grandchildren’s sports events.  He always had great stories to tell and was loved by all who met him.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend the funeral from The HIGGINS AND BONNER ECHO LAKE FUNERAL HOME, 582 Springfield Ave., Westfield, NJ on Wednesday, January 22nd at 9:00am.  A Funeral Mass will be offered at St. Theresa’s R.C. Church, Kenilworth at 10:30 am. Interment Fairview Cemetery. Westfield. Friends may call Tuesday, January 21st from 3:00 – 8:00.  In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to Center for Hope Hospice, 1900 Raritan Rd, Scotch Plains, NJ 07076 on behalf of Thomas J. Gilligan