Mr. Thomas Frederick Gockel passed away peacefully at home on Tuesday, February 27, 2024, just two months prior to his 97th birthday.

Mr. Gockel was born to Cornelius H. Gockel and Delia Gockel (nee McNamara) in Perth Amboy NJ on April 27, 1927.  He resided in Perth Amboy NJ until 1929 and in Edison NJ thereafter.  He was graduated from Saint Mary's High School in Perth Amboy NJ in June 1944.  He served in the US Navy from 1945-1946 and was assigned to the USS Jupiter Aviation Supply Ship supporting bases and ships in the Pacific theater.

In 1944, Mr. Gockel started his career in the US Postal Service in Fords NJ, where he rose to the position of branch manager, retiring in 1985.  Between 1960 and 1993, he also worked in sales at Rockford Furniture and then Levitz Furniture, both in Woodbridge NJ.

After a several-year courtship, in 1953 Tom married Harriet Paszinski of Hopelawn and Fords, NJ.  The couple settled in Edison, NJ where they would remain for over seventy years. The couple went on to have nine children and the large family would become the center of their universe.  For much of his working life, Tom held down two jobs and worked six-to-seven days a week to provide for his growing family. His strong moral compass and work ethic were amongst his greatest gifts to his children.

He was a parishioner of Our Lady of Peace Church in Fords, NJ from 1929 onward.  He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus, the Holy Name Society, and regularly volunteered for church-maintenance, ushering and fundraising activities.

Tom was blessed to enjoy life-long friendships with John Bihary and Bill Dudash of the Central Jersey area, and was an active member of the Hopelawn NJ VFW 1312.  In retirement he enjoyed reading, vacationing with Harriet and their friend group, golfing with his buddies, meeting with his Post Office breakfast group, tinkering around his beloved home and feeding the birds.  Tom was an active and engaged member of the community and enjoyed attending town meetings.  He loved his neighborhood and his neighbors.

Mr. Gockel was predeceased by his sister, Eileen Coviello; brother, Bernard Gockel; son, James Gockel; and granddaughter, Jackie Gockel.  He is survived by Harriet Gockel, his loving wife for over 70 years; and also survived by their children: Thomas and Marie Gockel, Kathy and Jack Frenchu, David and Lynn Gockel, Daniel and Linda Gockel, Brian Gockel and Robert Lutz, Carolyn Gordon, Susan and Nicholas Dazzo, and Jane and Randy Aldrich; and grandchildren: Jaesy, Alex, Jack, Tommy, Steven, Nicholas, Scout, Connor, Danny, Delia, Richard, Anita, John, Brendan and Joseph; and great-grandchild, Alpha.  He is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

Visitors will be welcomed on Sunday, March 3, 2024, from 2:30 PM to 6:00 PM at the Flynn and Son Funeral Home, 23 Ford Avenue, Fords, NJ.  Funeral Services at the funeral home will be on Monday, March 4, 2024, at 10:00 AM followed by a 10:30 AM mass of Christian burial at Our Lady of Peace Church in Fords, NJ. Entombment will follow in St. James Mausoleum in Hopelawn, NJ.

Donations may be made to Our Lady of Peace Parish or the Alzheimer's Association.