US Marine Corps Vet Was Active In Moorestown Community

Leslie Thomas (“Tom”) Seely, Jr. passed away peacefully on the morning of November 22, 2021. Tom was born on April 23, 1929 in Newark, NJ and grew up on William Street in Maplewood, NJ.

He graduated from Columbia High School, where he was known for his exceptional skill playing the saxophone. He created and led a 17-piece band called the Tom Seely Band, later named The Stardusters, while in high school.

He attended and graduated from Seton Hall University. Tom enrolled in Georgetown University Law School, but left at the end of his second year to enlist in officer training with the US Marine Corps during the Korean War.

He served in the Intelligence Group at Cherry Point, NC, and was honorably discharged at the end of his service bearing the rank of Captain. Tom maintained a lifelong network of relationships from the Corps and was proud of having served his country.

Tom loved the ocean, the shore and the golf course. As a lifelong golfer, he was a member of Moorestown Field Club, Laurel Creek Golf, Seaview Golf Club and PGA National in West Palm Beach. He enjoyed many rounds of golf with his children.

He was an avid sailor and boater and was a longstanding member of Little Egg Harbor Yacht Club in Beach Haven, NJ, where the family owned a home. It was a rare occasion if Tom didn’t bring his sax to parties at LEHYC, joining the band as a highly welcomed guest in the brass section.

He owned a number of different sail and power boats over the years and was his happiest when at the helm, being captain of the ship.

Tom founded The Seely Agency, a successful business in the insurance industry and built a career as a financial advisor serving teachers and other employees of many New Jersey education systems until he retired in 2014.

He was an active member of Moorestown Rotary since the 1960s and was actively involved with Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church in Moorestown, as well as other civic organizations.

Tom is survived by his sister Jane Hoffman (Peter) of Oakton, VA and his three children Jeffrey (Kimberly) of Sun Valley, Idaho, Lori Campbell (Fred) of Mt. Laurel, NJ and Susan Demmerly (Hoyt) of Medford, NJ. He is also survived by 6 grandchildren, Sam, James, Jessica, Clayton, Braden and Owen and one great grandson, Logan. Tom was predeceased by his wife of 39 years, Eleanor Eve Seely (nee Ernish) and by his second wife Susan Kilroy Seely. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.

Services will be private.

Tom actively supported the Marine Corp Toys for Tots campaigns during the holiday season.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a gift to this charity in his memory:

Toys for Tots: https://www.toysfortots.org/donate/toys.aspx.

Condolences may be left at www.lewisfuneralhomemoorestown.com.