Thomas Carl Fanning, 87, of Shark River Hills, Neptune, and formerly of Oradell, NJ, passed away on July 19, 2014 at his home.
Fanning, a member of the United States Trotting Association, was a loving father, beloved husband and an extraordinary man whose family and faith took precedence in his life. He cherished his friendships and had a warm, loving and giving heart.
Born in Jersey City in 1927 to Techla and Edmund Carl Fanning, Tom was an avid photographer and radio enthusiast. He graduated from St. Peter’s College High School in1944, joined the Army Air Corps. during World War II, Squadron N 3505th AAF Base Unit and Detach 723d AAF Base Unit. After his service he attended Seton Hall University Business School where he received his Bachelor of Science degree in 1951. Tom worked in the printing business/sales for Shelby/Miami Systems for 55 years, retiring in 2006. He was founding partner and manager of Hexagon Farm Horse Racing Stable.
Tom was a longtime member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Club in Union City, a Lector and Eucharistic Minister at St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church in Oradell, a 3rd degree Knight at the New Milford K of C St. Joseph’s Council #3814. Tom was a Eucharistic Minister and member of the St. Vincent de Paul Society at Holy Innocents Church in Neptune. He enjoyed time spent by the Sea, wood carving and art-deco painting.
He was married to Enes Lidoli Fanning for 45 years until her death in l999.
Tom was predeceased by his mother, Techla M. Schreck Fanning and father, Edmund Carl Fanning, and also by his sisters Veronica DeLaura and Jean Sullivan and brother Bill Schreck.
Surviving are his cherished wife, Barbara-Ann, of Shark River Hills, Neptune whom he married in 2001; and sons Thomas (Moira), Stephen (Sharon) and Edmund (Lisa) Fanning; grandchildren Alyssa, Emma, Veronica, Caroline, Sara, and Brielle. Step-children Denise (Bill) Heitman , Donald (Donna) Tietjen; grandchildren Liam Heitman, John, Louis and Katie Tietjen, as well as extended family Renee (Jeffrey) Loprete, Tina (Rich) Jablonowski, Stacy (Max) Guenther, Thomas (Charlotte) Delaura, , and William, Donald and Paul Sullivan.
Visitation will be on Tuesday 6-9 p.m. and Wednesday 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. at the O’Brien Funeral Home, 2028 Highway 35, Wall, N.J. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday at 10 a.m. at Holy Innocents Church, 3455 W Bangs Ave, Neptune. The Interment will follow at George Washington Memorial Park, 234 Paramus Rd, Paramus, NJ.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the St. Vincent de Paul Society at Holy Innocents Church, 3455 West Bangs Ave., Neptune, N.J. 07753 or St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, Tenn 38105.
Please join Standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the family and friends of Thomas Carl Fanning.
(O’Brien Funeral Home)