Obituary: Thomas Zenick, 88

Thomas "Tom" E. Zenick of Morristown, N.J., passed away on Saturday, Sept. 1, 2012, at after a short illness. He was 88 years old.

A Mass of Christian Burial for Tom will be held on Friday, Sept. 7, 2012, at 10 a.m. at St. Virgil's Church, 250 Speedwell Ave., Morris Plains, N.J. Interment will follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, East Hanover, N.J. Visiting will be on Thursday, Sept. 6, 2012, from 2 to 4 and 7 and 9 p.m. at Dangler Funeral Home, 600 Speedwell Ave., Morris Plains.

Tom was born on Sept. 7, 1923, in Manhattan, N.Y., to Joseph and Olga Zenick. He moved to Cedar Knolls, N.J., in 1925, and then to Morristown 56 years ago. Tom attended Hanover Township Public School and then Morristown High School, where he graduated in the class of 1941.

Throughout his early life, Tom worked at various jobs, including Chamberlain Aircraft, Wright Aeronautics, and Iorio Clothing. Tom proudly served his country, entering into the U.S. Army Air Corps in 1943. During his military service, he rose to the rank of technical sergeant. He was a machine gunner and flight engineer on a B-17. He served with the 8th Air Force 303rd Bomb Group, the original Hells Angels. Tom and his crew completed 25 missions over Germany and other European countries. He was awarded the Air Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters, American Theatre Ribbon with two Bronze Stars, and the Good Conduct Medal.

Tom worked for the Singer Sewing Company from 1949 to 1976, serving as store manager and then district manager. Then he owned and operated the Singer Sewing Store as a franchise in Morristown until 1983.

Tom served as a Morristown alderman, councilman, and council president from 1967 to 1979. He also served as manager of the Morristown Airport for approximately two years. He then went to work for the New Jersey State Lottery Commission from 1982 to 2007.

Tom is survived by his loving wife of 64 years, Yolanda (nee Caporaso), and his devoted son, Thomas R. Zenick and his wife, Susan (Cillo), of Cedar Knolls; as well as many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, Joseph and Olga Zenick.

In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Tom can be made to the Morristown Ambulance Squad; envelopes will be provided by the funeral home.