Thomas Malia

Thomas “Tom” Malia, 75, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, August 12, 2025, at Brandywine Mountain Ridge in Watchung, New Jersey, after a courageous struggle with Parkinson’s disease in recent years.

Born in East Orange, New Jersey, to Thomas and Elizabeth Malia, Tom was raised there before later residing in Nutley and then making his home in Gillette until his passing. After earning his college degree, he began a distinguished career, working as a claims adjuster at Wm. H. McGee in New York. Over the course of five decades in property insurance claims, Tom retired from Swiss Re in 2017.

Throughout his career, Tom mentored many and built a reputation for diligence, professionalism, and fairness.

Tom was a man of many joys and passions. He had a deep love for music, fine food, and good wine. An avid reader, he was often found immersed in a good book, and he delighted in traveling to new places. Among family and friends, Tom was famous for his long, winding jokes—stories that seemed to take the scenic route to the punchline. Over time, it became one of his most endearing traits, something that brought both smiles and laughter to those who knew him best.

He was predeceased by his parents and his brother, Philip. Tom is survived by his loving companion, Jeannette Weismantel; his three children, Jessica, Annie, and Andrew; his grandchildren, Henry and Elijah; his sisters, Betsy and Sally, and cousins, nieces and nephews.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Thursday, August 14, 2025, at 10:00 AM at St. Mary’s Stony Hill Church, 225 Mountain Blvd., Watchung, NJ 07069. Interment will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery in North Arlington, New Jersey. In the months to come, a proper Irish sendoff and memorial celebration will be held in Tom’s honor.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to a charity of one’s choice.