Thomas John Katchisin of Edison was called home on Saturday, June 20th, 2026 passing away at Raritan Bay Medical Center in Perth Amboy, New Jersey. He was 75 years old.

Born in Jersey City to parents John Andrew Katchisin and Margaret Virginia Katchisin his early years were spent in the town of Spotswood before finally settling in Edison Township where he resided for more than 50 years.

He was a graduate of John P. Stevens High School “Class of 1968” and received his Associates Degree from Middlesex County College. He was married to MaryAnn Cappella in 1974 and together they purchased a home on Dartmouth Street in Edison where they raised 3 children.

A veteran of the Vietnam war, he loved and proudly served his country in the United States Marine Corps as a Lance Corporal and a Rifleman. He was deployed to the city of Da Nang where he saw combat and was wounded in action. He was a recipient of the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Vietnam Campaign Medal, a Combat Action Ribbon, a Rifle Marksman Badge as well as a Purple Heart for Military Merit. He was honorably discharged from the Marine Corps and remained active in the veteran community throughout his life as a member of the Clara Barton American Legion Post #324 and the Marine Corps League.

In addition, he was a supporter of Rebuilding Warriors & the Wounded Warrior Project, he ran the Marine Corps Marathon, and participated in the Meals on Wheels program delivering meals to other disabled veterans and people in need.

Tom was a devout Catholic who served God, believed in Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit, and was a parishioner of Our Lady of Peace Church in Fords where he sang with the Church Choir and was a member of the Our Lady of Peace Council #9199 of the Knights of Columbus.

A dedicated and hardworking family man, he worked tirelessly to support his family for many years as a computer consultant with Reynolds & Reynolds, Liccardi Motors, and the Ray Catena Auto Group. He also owned and operated Katco, a computer consulting business of his own from his home. He worked for a number of years with Continental Airlines at Newark Airport in Terminal Operations, but he is perhaps most known for his work with the Anheuser-Busch Budweiser Brewing Company in Newark, NJ where he was employed as a Brewer in the Finishing Department and ultimately retired after 15 years of service.

During his retirement years he became a summertime fixture on the corner of 14th St. & Ocean Ave. aka “The One-Four” in Belmar, New Jersey operating "Nicky D's” Hot Dog Cart with his best friend Mike Bissel for 18 years where they quickly became known for their graciousness, generosity, hospitality, community outreach, great deals, and delicious food.

Some of his favorite hobbies included playing golf, dancing, singing, relaxing at the beach, swimming in the ocean, skiing, whitewater rafting and riding roller coasters.

Tom leaves behind his oldest son Thomas John Katchisin Jr. of Edison, daughter Amanda Marie Papa and husband Christopher Papa of Edison, his youngest son John Albert Katchisin and wife Vyolet Katchisin of Spring Lake Heights, his two dear grandsons; Vincent Thomas Papa and William John Katchisin, his sister Dorothy "Ginny" Tarn and brother Gerald "Corky" Hall both of Cliffside Beach, several surviving nieces and nephews as well as his ex-wife and friend MaryAnn Katchisin who supported him in sickness and his greatest time of need, and was by his side along with his children at the hour of his death.

He will be most remembered for his congenial, sociable, gregarious, and engaging personality, his sense of humor and theatrics, his helping hands, his altruistic, thoughtful and charitable nature, his unwavering support for and undying devotion to his family, but above all…for his goodwill toward men.

Visitation will be on Sunday, June 28th, 2026 from 2-5 pm & 7-9 pm at Flynn and Son/Mitruska Funeral Home located at 23 Ford Ave, Fords, NJ 08863.

Funeral services will begin on Monday, June 29th, 2026 at 10 am from the Flynn and Son/Mitruska Funeral Home, followed by a Funeral Liturgy at Our Lady of Peace Church, Fords, NJ at 10:30 am. Interment will follow in the Brigadier General William C Doyle NJ Veterans Cemetery, Arneytown, NJ at 1:30 pm.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Tom’s memory to Rebuilding Warriors, https://www.rebuildingwarriors.com/donate-to-rebuilding-warriors.html