Thomas P. Downing, 89 of Oceanport, NJ, passed away on May 28, 2019, peacefully surrounded by his family.
Tom was born in Brooklyn, NY to his parents Richard and Margaret who were second generation Irish immigrants, originally from the West Village in Manhattan. Tom’s parents relocated to rural Great Kills in Staten Island when he was very young. His mother raised him, his sister Catherine, brother Richie and four foster brothers and sisters during the great depression. Tom graduated St. Peter’s Boys High School and was a proud veteran of the US Army. Upon returning from the service, he worked a few years for Con Edison before joining the New York City Police Department where he worked for 28 years in Greenwich Village and at Staten Island’s 122 Precinct. He met and was married 58 years to the love of his life Eileen with whom he raised six children on Staten Island before locating to Oceanport 40 years ago.
Tom was known as the most easy going and kind guy by everyone who ever met him. As an NYPD officer he earned the nickname “The Monsignor” for his uncanny calmness and ability to quickly diffuse tense situations. That demeanor made him a dearly loved son, husband, father, grandfather and uncle. His family will miss him dearly.
Thomas was predeceased by his beloved wife Eileen, son Terrence, brother Richard, sister Catherine, brother in law Bob Sullivan and son in law Joe Kapusta. He is survived by his sons Thomas (Patty), Michael (Jill), John (Maura) and daughters Eileen and Anna; grandchildren Terrence, Thomas, Kenneth, Timothy, Kerry, Megan and Caitlin; great-grandchildren Terrence and Jack; sister in law Maureen Sullivan and brother in law Raymond (Mary) Reilly and many nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be on Thursday, May 30th from 4 to 7 pm at Thompson Memorial Home, 310 Broad St, Red Bank, NJ. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, May 31st at 10 a.m. at St. Michael’s Church, 800 Ocean Ave, Long Branch, NJ. Interment will follow at Resurrection Cemetery, 361 Sharrott Ave, Staten Island, NY. Donations in lieu of flowers to the St. Vincent dePaul Society at St. Michael's Church would be greatly appreciated.