Thomas P. Stanuikynas

Thomas P. Stanuikynas

Much like when Abraham Lincoln remarked that “to ease another’s burden is to forget one’s own”, Tom’s focus was never on himself. Seldom a day passed that his children didn’t receive a call from him checking to see if they’d taken their vitamins, were prepared for inclement weather or just to say he was thinking of them. He always put them before himself. This was even true of the smaller things; he always let his daughters have the remote. Over the years, he watched everything from Nickelodeon to “Say Yes to the Dress”, which gave him the opportunity to see his daughter, “the baby”, pick out her wedding gown as not many fathers do. The choice between watching the game or a tea party with his granddaughter was a no-brainer. So long as his family was happy Tom felt all was right with the world.
A ravenous Eagles fan, the only thing that ever got him down was when they lost. But, when he wasn’t rooting for the birds, he enjoyed trips to the casinos or heading to the track. His system for picking a pony was simple, if the horse’s name reminded him of someone in the family, he’d wager a dollar or two. Tom was also a member of the Knights of Columbus, where he jitter-bugged the nights away.
In the late 1960s, a young woman named Jane (nee Porreca) spotted Tom while having drinks with her sister. Prophetically she remarked “that one’s mine”. By 1971 they were married and would eventually make Delran their home. Together, their lives were blessed by their children: Tom (Shannon) of Roebling, Carla Bossert (Greg) of Medford and Kristen (fiancé Joe Nicastro) of Cinnaminson and again by their grandchildren: Alex, Brianna, Tommy, Talan, Miley and a grandkitty named Lilli. Tom is survived by his siblings: Maryann McGlinchey (Donald) of PA, Richard of CA, Lorraine Shafer (James) of Sewell, Joanna Nino of CA and Donna Stanuikynas of PA, as well as by his sister-in-law, Joan Orlando of Collingswood and many nieces and nephews.
Come celebrate Tom’s 68 selfless years (Apr. 12, 1945-Nov. 25, 2013) Friday from 7-9 PM and Saturday from 9:30-10:15 AM at the Sweeney Funeral Home, Riverside. Mass of Christian Burial Saturday 11 AM at Resurrection Parish (Holy Name Site), Delran. Interment in Calvary Cemetery, Cherry Hill. In lieu of flowers memorial gifts may be given to the American Heart Association 1 Union St., Suite 301, Robbinsville, NJ 08691, Attn: Alex Has Got Heart Team SNJ Fall “In Memory of Thomas P. Stanuikynas”. –

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