Thomas Richard Jeffas, age 86 years, of Raritan Township, NJ, died peacefully on Friday, October 1, 2021, at Chandler Hall Hospice, Newtown, PA, surrounded by his cherished family.

Born on July 25, 1935, in Jersey City, NJ, he was the son of the late James and Estelle Jeffas. After Growing up in Jersey City, Tom had resided in Secaucus, NJ for more than forty-five years prior to moving to Raritan Township fifteen years ago to be closer to some of his many grandchildren.

With a soul that was as giving as it was kind, Tom’s spirit was grounded in his catholic upbringing. Growing up with nine siblings, he learned at a young age the value of hard work, sharing and compromise.

Beginning to deliver bakery products at the age of eight, Tom would work many hours and various other odd jobs, including delivering newspapers and whatever else he could do in order to make money. These funds, all of them, were promptly turned over to his mother so she could buy food for the family. Even at that tender age, he was caring for others and never resented anything he did or was asked to do for the sake of his large family.

This ideal of giving without expecting anything in return would be the light that drove Tom’s entire life. Upon graduation from high school, he would join the United States Army and serve as a Military Policeman from1955-1958, being honorably discharged at the rank of Sergeant. He would go on to serve in the United States Army Reserves for another three years.

Continuing his legacy of hard work, Tom was first a Driver, then became Operations Manager for Holmes Trucking, until the company closed down. He then started his own business, I-Care Transportation, a limousine service providing transportation to patients of an  ophthalmology group. He “retired” shortly before making the move to Raritan Township, and devoted his newfound ‘free time’ to his many philanthropic efforts.

One of his biggest and most cherished ‘jobs’ was serving as ministry head of the St. Vincent Food Pantry at St. Magdalen Church, Flemington, NJ, where he was a faithful parishioner for many years. He spent many hours ensuring  those who truly needed food, never went without.  In addition to his many works at St. Magdalen Church, Tom was a forty-five plus year member of Immaculate Conception Church, Secaucus, NJ.

Having many hobbies, Tom greatly enjoyed the opera and spent many enjoyable nights at the MET in New York City. He was also a faithful New York Giants season ticket holder and  enjoyed the outdoors andreading a good book.

First and foremost in Tom’s life, in addition to  faith, was his family. It was in a math class at Jersey City State College where Tom would spot a young Ms. Donna Marie Diffenderfer.. The two instantly fell for one another and would marry on July 9, 1961, at St. Aedan’s Church in Jersey City.

Their loving union would bring them six children, who he adored with all of his heart. . All remember their dad as a true provider in every sense of the word. He, along with Donna, instilled in them the importance of hard work, family and service.

As the family grew, Tom would earn the title of Pop-Pop and he was most happy  spending time with his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. He was the quintessential patriarch who put his family and others first, and he lived to see them happy and safe.

Though saddened by his death, Tom would want all to take solace in the fact that he is safely in the place promised in John 14, a place where there is no pain, but only light and peace. There is a poem, written by an unknown author, which describes the man Tom was, is, and will always be to all those who felt his tender touch. Entitled, “Hero”, these words speak to being a man of integrity and compassion: “You held my hand when I was small. You caught me when I fell. You are the hero of my childhood. And my later years as well. And every time I think of you. My heart still fills with pride. Though I will always miss you Dad, I know you’re by my side. In laughter and in sorrow. In sunshine and in rain. I know you’re watching over me. Until we meet again.”

In addition to taking solace that Tom is with his father in heaven, it is worth mentioning that Tom’s faith taught him that performing Corporal Works of Mercy was the only way to live life. These works of mercy are charitable actions by which we come to the aid of our neighbor in his spiritual and bodily necessities. Tom lived his faith and in doing so, made this world a better place for all who inhabit it now, and in the years to come.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by six of his nine siblings, James, Mildred, Edward, Linda, Corrine, Veronica, and Estelle.

Surviving are his wife and best friend, Donna Marie Jeffas; his children, Thomas Jeffas, Jr., Robert Jeffas, Sheryl Driscoll and her husband Brian, Gary Jeffas  and his wife Jean, Lisa Gordon and her partner Steve Rudolph, and Krista Williams and her spouse Joseph; his grandchildren, Tommy, Steven, Alyssa, Robert, Justin, Taylor, Ronnie, Eric and his wife Jennifer, Ryan and his wife Stephanie, Sean, Andrew, Justin, Meagan, Matthew, Amanda, and Jason; his great grandchildren, Aaron and Evelyn; his sisters, Kathleen Stallard and Marie Gurevitch; his beloved dog , Chloe; many nieces, nephews and extended family; and many dear friends.

PLEASE NOTE TIME AND DATE CHANGE DUE TO A FAMILY ISSUE:

Tom will lie in repose on Thursday, October 14, 2021, from 5:00-8:00 p.m. in the Chapel of Wright & Ford Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 38 State Highway 31, Flemington, NJ.

A Mass of Christian Burial celebrated by Rev. Dr. Kenneth Brighenti will take place on Friday, October 15, 2021, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Magdalen Church, 105 Mine Street, Flemington, NJ. Everyone is kindly asked to arrive at the church beginning at 10:15 a.m. on Friday.

Following mass, Tom will be entombed at Holy Cross Mausoleum, 340 Ridge Road, North Arlington, NJ.

You are encouraged to visit Tom’s permanent life celebration site at www.wrightfamily.com to light a candle of hope, leave messages of condolence, share words of comfort and recollection, and post photographs of his life.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in his honor may be made to the St. Vincent Food Pantry at St. Magdalen Church. Please make checks payable to ‘St. Magdalen Church’ and mail to 105 Mine Street, Flemington, NJ 08822, attn: Regina Edersheim, or you may donate online by clicking HERE. On the check or online, please note that the donation is for the food pantry in honor and memory of Tom Jeffas so your kindness can be passed on to his family.

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Wright & Ford, your local, family owned & operated “Life Celebration Home”