Obituary for Tom Gilmartin Gilmartin, Sr., Master Captain – Thomas J. – 90, of West Cape May, was born in Atlantic City on December 21, 1927, threw the lines for the final time on Saturday morning, October 13th 2018. He was predeceased by his wife of 62 years, Rita Marie Devine, 2011; his daughter Patti Romp, 2015; and his grandson Thomas J. Gilmartin III, 1999. He is survived by his children, Linda (and Jerry) Fiordimondo, Thomas Jr. (Michele), Margie (Marty) Franco, Joseph (Raechel), TJ (Brooke) and Marie (Scott) Yeager.
Also survived by his grandchildren, Christy Marie, JJ, Patricia, Rory, Ellie, Henry, Timmy, Morgan, Maggie, Makenzie, Maddison, Lennon, Timothy Jr., and Joseph, as well as his 7 great grandchildren. Tom lived an adventurous life, with seven kids…wouldn’t your life be an adventure too? Tom enlisted at the age of 17, and was a WWII Navy Veteran.
After serving, he married Rita and lived in Atlantic City where they both were raised. He was involved in the early development and training of the first pilots to use radar and Loran C while employed at NAFAC. He relocated to Cape May in 1968, beginning his career with USCG EECEN, as Chief of Electronic Engineering.
He was a past Grand Knight for Knights of Columbus and he attended Our Lady Star of the Sea in Cape May. He was determined to live to 100 and stubborn enough to do so. His passing was unexpected but swift.
His early years included being the only son in a family of six. He was met by his 3 sisters in heaven and is survived by sisters, Mary Elsie Brandel, and Bette Lou Roncace. Also survived by many nieces and nephews.
Tom’s work ethic was a lesson for all to learn. He worked three jobs as a young dad to provide for his family. His love of sport fishing brought him much joy, and his family plenty of fresh fish!
He was a member of the Atlantic City Marlin and Tuna Club, and a proprietary member of the Cape May Marlin and Tuna Club. He was the winner of the “Miller High Life Fish for Life” tournament in 1983 onboard his 35’ Magnum “The Nine G’s” with his 3 sons. Tom will be missed by many and remembered by all.
Tom’s viewing will take place in the Spilker Funeral Home, 815 Washington St., Cape May, NJ on Saturday (Oct. 20th) from 9:30am until 11:30am with his funeral ceremony beginning at 11:30am. Interment with military honors will follow in Laurel Memorial Park Cemetery, Egg Harbor Twp.
, NJ. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to “The 9 G’s Dreamboat Completion Fund”. Our family’s hope is to complete Tom’s biggest dream!
For convenience and acknowledgement purposes please make your contribution through “In Memory Of” online at: www. inmemof.org/tom-gilmartin or if you prefer regular mail, checks can be made and mailed to: In Memory Of, PO Box 5472, Charlottesville, VA 22905 (re: Tom Gilmartin). To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Tom Gilmartin please visit our Sympathy Store.
Cemetery Details Laurel Memorial Cemetery 2301 English Creek Avenue Egg Harbor Township, NJ, 08234 , Previous Events Visitation , OCT 20. 9:30 AM – 11:30 AM Spilker Funeral Home 815 Washington Street Cape May, NJ, US, 08204 spilkerfuneralhome@comcast.net Service , OCT 20.
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