Thomas Kress of Edison died Sunday, December 4, 2011, at JFK Haven Hospice in Edison. Born in Perth Amboy he lived in Edison most of his life. He attended grade and high school in Perth Amboy. He was a Staff Sergeant during WW II, serving in the US Army. He owned and operated the Edison Motor Lodge in Edison for many years until his retirement. In 1967, Tom married Sylvia Govostis from Boston, MA.

Tom was a life-long member of St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church in Perth Amboy. He was elected to the Parish Council and served in various capacities including Secretary, Vice President and three terms as President. In 1996, he was made an Archon of the Order of St. Andrew the Apostle by His All Holiness Patriarch Bartholomue, head of the three hundred million Orthodox church worldwide. He was installed to the Order by His Eminence Archbishop Spyridon, Primate of the Greek Orthodox Church of America. This is the highest award bestowed to a layman by the Orthodox Church. In 2000, he and Mrs. Kress joined the "Archbishop Iakovos Leadership 100," a philanthropic organization of the church who financially assists the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America and its Institutions.

Mr. Kress was also a long-standing member of The American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (AHEPA) and served as Chapter President of the Perth Amboy Chapter and Supreme Governor of New Jersey. In the past few years, he was a member of the Jefferson Chapter of The Holy Trinity Church in Westfield. Tom was a member of many committees such as the Church maintenance, building fund, festival, Church services, and also the Mr. and Mrs. Club and the Senior Citizens club.

Tom was a dedicated and tireless man of distinction who gave much of his time and treasure to all the organizations he was part of, particularly his beloved St. Demetrios. His personality was a perfect example of elegance, devotion, and sincerity. He was an eloquent speaker and man of action. He will be missed by all who knew him. May his memory be eternal.
He was predeceased by his parents, Simon and Fannie Kress; his brother, Frank Kress and sister Pauline Bogiages. Surviving is his beloved wife of 45 years, Sylvia (Govostis) Kress; nephews, Nicholas and Simon Bogiages and George Kress; nieces Carol Antonias and Barbara Bogiages; and several grand nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held Friday, December 9, 2011, at 11:00 AM from St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church, 147 Wisteria Street, Perth Amboy, NJ. Visitation will be on Thursday from 4:00 to 8:00 PM at the Flynn and Son Funeral Home, 23 Ford Avenue, Fords, NJ and Friday, from 10:00-11:00 AM at the church. Interment will be in Alpine Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to St. Demetrios G.O. Church.