Thomas A. Gailey, Sr.

Thomas A. Gailey Sr., of Logan Township, NJ, formerly of Southwest Philadelphia, passed away peacefully on February 20 at the age of 91. Loving husband of the late Joan (nee MacElrevey). Beloved father of Thomas A. Jr (Ellen). and Kimberly (Sean) McLaughlin. Proud Pop-Pop of  Erin (Zach) Beegal, Meghan (Jimmy), Caitlin and Ryen. Brother of the late Bill, Jim and Frank and brother-in-law to the late Dolores, Ann Mae and the late Rita. Uncle to many nieces and nephews and friend to countless from Philadelphia and NJ. He loved casino visits, Jeopardy, especially a winning streak, and Harry Potter books and movies.

Tom was born and lived much of his life in Southwest Philadelphia. A graduate of West Catholic, he served in the U.S. Army in Korea, seeing combat as an infantryman. He returned home to enjoy two of his passions, dancing and roller skating, met and married Joan, the love of his life, and started a long career at Westinghouse Electric in Delaware County. After its closure in 1986, he enjoyed many years at Southwest Produce, which provided endless opportunities to talk with old friends and make new ones.

The opening of Atlantic City casinos in the late 1970s created a destination for the Gailey brothers and their spouses. Saturday night get togethers in Southwest and Colwyn became bus trips and rides to Atlantic City where jackpots were won and not won.

Tom and Joan moved from Southwest to Logan Township in 1989 to be closer to Kim and Sean. From there, he made many new friends, spent hours in his backyard pool, shortened the drive to the casinos and read hundreds of books from the Logan Township Library.  He became a proud grandfather for the first time in 1992 and loved to follow the successes of his four granddaughters.

His was a life well-lived and to long be remembered.

Relatives and friends are invited  to attend his Funeral Mass on Saturday February 25th, 11:30 AM at St. Joseph's Church, St. Clare of Assisi Parish, 140 Broad Street, Swedesboro, NJ 08085. Funeral Mass will be live streamed. After clicking on this link, click on "Swedesboro" to make it full screen. Friends may call from 10:15 AM to 11:15 AM at the church. Interment to follow at SS. Peter & Paul Cemetery in Springfield, PA.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital in Tom's memory.

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