Obituary of Thomas James Gartland
Thomas James Gartland
Lifelong Caldwell Resident
Thomas James Gartland passed away at home on Thursday, May 31, 2018 after a long illness surrounded by his loving family.
Visitation will be held at the Codey & Jones Funeral Home, 54 Roseland Avenue, Caldwell, NJ 07006 on Monday, June 4th from 4-8pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Aloysius R.C. Church, 219 Bloomfield Avenue, Caldwell on Tuesday, June 5th at 11:00 am. To extend a condolence or share a memory, please visit www.codeyjonesfh.com.
Tom was born in Montclair, NJ to Joseph and Margaret (Bilbow) Gartland. He lived his entire life in Caldwell and graduated from Grover Cleveland High School in Caldwell in 1958. Tom served in the US Army from 1959 – 1961 at Fort Lewis in Tacoma, Washington. He was discharged from the Army on the day John F. Kennedy was sworn into office as President. He was also proud to have attended Martin Luther King, Jr.'s, "I Have a Dream Speech" on the Mall in Washington, D.C. on August 28, 1963 and John F. Kennedy's funeral in November, 1963. He became involved in local politics and was elected to the Caldwell Council in 1971 and served one term.
Tom worked as a Real Estate Broker for over 50 years and many of those years he owned Gartland Realtors on Passaic Avenue in Fairfield, NJ. He ended his real estate career with Lattimer Realtors in Caldwell. He also worked for 28 years as a counselor at the Essex County Jail where he helped many people.
He was one of the original Board Members of the Bridge. He also served as a Board Member of the Essex County Mental Health Association for many years. He was a member of the West Essex Board of Realtors and served as President.
He was lifelong parishioner of St. Aloysius Church and a daily communicant for many years.
He was appointed to the Essex County Tax Board and served as a Commissioner for a number of years. He was a member of the American Legion James Caldwell Post #185 and truly enjoyed Friday lunches. He was also a proud member of many Irish Organizations; the Ancient Order of Hibernians, Division #9, The Friendly Sons of the Shillelagh, The Ironbound Irish, The Giblin Association, The Nugent Association and the Newark St. Patrick's Day Parade Committee.
He was elected to the Essex County Democratic Committee Hall of Fame after 50 years on the Caldwell Democratic County Committee.
He is survived by his beloved wife of 47 years, Susan; dearly loved children, Tommy (Marybeth) and Christy; cherished grandsons, Maxwell, Emmett, Benjamin, Leo and Daniel; dear sisters, Peggy Cassini and Trish Stewart, who were a very special part of his life as were his nieces and nephews. He dearly loved his family and friends and his Catholic faith.
Donations can be made to Mount Saint Dominic Academy or the Caldwell Public Library Foundation.