Obituary of Thomas J. Sweeney

Bridgewater: Thomas J. Sweeney, age 81, died on Friday, September 17, 2010 at Somerset Medical Center in Somerville. Mr. Sweeney was born in Scranton, PA, and was the valedictorian of the first graduating class of Scranton Prep in 1947. He later went on to receive a Master's Degree in Philosophy and History from Loyola University in Chicago. Tom taught as a Jesuit Scholastic at St. Joseph's Prep in Philadelphia, where he founded and was the first moderator for the crew team. He was also the moderator of the debate society. After deep reflection and prayer he chose the vocation of marriage over the vocation of priesthood. . Mr. Sweeney was a man for all seasons; he was a disciple of Christ, a family man, educator and athlete. He donated his time to Blessed Sacrament Roman Catholic Church in Martinsville where he served as a Eucharistic Minister, lector, religious education teacher for the sacraments of initiation, and was an active member of the liturgy committee. He was also a volunteer for the Martinsville Rescue Squad. Surviving are his loving wife of 50 years, Barbara A. Gogolewski Sweeney; his daughters, Kathleen Ackroyd and her husband Pat, Marianne Hahn and her husband Stephen, and Susan O'Connor; his four grandchildren: Emily and Marissa Hahn, Ian and Fiona Ackroyd. Visitation will be held on Monday, September 20, 2010 from 4-8 p.m. at Higgins Home For Funerals, 752 Mountain Blvd, Watchung. Funeral Services will be held on Tuesday September 21 at 9:00 am at the funeral home followed by a 10:00 am Mass of Resurrection at Blessed Sacrament Roman Catholic Church, Martinsville. Committal prayers will follow at Somerset Hills Memorial Park, Basking Ridge. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to The Martinsville Rescue Squad, 1771 Washington Valley Rd, Martinsville, NJ 08836.