Obituary of Thomas G. Meeker
The world was blessed with the birth of Thomas G. Meeker in November 1934, and we are now heartbroken that after 89 wonderful years of dedication, creativity, leadership, humor and genuine love of life, he died on July 27, 2024 after a lengthy illness.
Raised in Glen Ridge, NJ, he was the second oldest of the five children born to Constance and Horace Meeker, who are welcoming him in heaven, along with his siblings who predeceased him: Stephen (and wife, Ann Hartley Meeker), Claire Xenikakis, and Abby Gail Fountain. Also welcoming him to his new-found world are many other predeceased relatives and numerous friends, especially those from his Princeton “family”.
Tom graduated from Glen Ridge High School in 1952 and continued his education at Princeton University, graduating in 1956 with a Bachelor of Arts degree. He was a member of the Cap & Gown Club, which became a very important part of his life in later years.
After graduation from Princeton, he briefly worked in the insurance industry and then joined the U.S. Army Reserve for a 6-month active-duty program. Upon completion, Tom joined Smith-Meeker Engineering Co., a family firm located in New York City, co-founded by his grandfather, Chester Meeker. He also attended night school at the Newark College of Engineering, earning a certificate in electrical engineering. In August 1958 he married Joan Holmgren, with whom he had three children: Gil, Patty and Christopher. Although their marriage dissolved in 1979, they had remained friends through the years.
Tom became the third generation President of Smith-Meeker in 1983, following his grandfather and father in that position. Their specialization was in Audio-Visual and Teleconferencing systems design and implementation. He retired in 2000 but continued providing part-time consultation services in his field until 2006.
In 1988 Tom married Joanne Thompson, a lifelong resident of Glen Ridge. Joanne became his major supporter of outside activities, principally involving graduate services to Princeton University as follows: Alumni Council Committee on Class Affairs; Chairman of the Alumni Council Committee on Reunions; Class President and later Class Secretary for 18 years, retiring from that position in late 2023; Major and off-year Reunion Chairman; Executive Committee for 20 years; Princetoniana Committee, Alumni Giving; and Service of Remembrance Committee. In 1985, prior to their marriage, Tom and Joanne founded a tailgate tradition behind Cap & Gown Club with anywhere from 40 and up to 100 people participating before each home football game. The Princeton University Band played for this group at every tailgate, and that tradition has continued for almost 40 years. In 1996, Tom was honored by being elected a “Distinguished Classmate” by members of the Class of 1956.
Tom had also served the Corlear Bay Property Owners Association, a vacation community in upstate New York, as President (2 terms), Treasurer (9 years), and Director (12 years). This beautiful place was a very important part of his life, beginning as a young child and continuing through 2018. He turned over the Meeker property to his children so that they and the grandchildren could continue making fond memories in the place that they all love.
He was also a long-time member of the Glen Ridge Congregational Church, and served on several committees, including the Garden of Memory Committee, which oversees the upkeep of this special Garden. It is a beautiful setting where many congregants’ ashes are interred and where Tom’s ashes will be placed, joining his parents, sisters, cousin and in-laws, Madeline and Howard Thompson.
In 2016, Tom and Joanne moved from Glen Ridge to Crane’s Mill Retirement Community where they immediately became active in numerous areas: members of the Welcoming Committee, serving on the Board, participation on the Food and Landscape Committees, and volunteering in the resident-run Gift Box. The highlight of Tom’s activities at Crane’s was his involvement in the Drama Club, where he thoroughly enjoyed entertaining folks with his humor and bringing a smile to many faces.
In addition to Joanne, his loving wife of 36 years (but 41 years of togetherness), he is survived by his three children, Thomas Gilman Meeker, Jr. (aka Gil); Patricia Meeker (Tom Healey); and Christopher Meeker (Elizabeth); his sister, Beverly Meeker; nine grandchildren, two great grandchildren, plus numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and his many fellow Princeton Tigers.
Following a private interment with Tom’s immediate family, a gathering to celebrate the life of an amazing, loving and humorous guy whom everyone loved, will be held at 11:30am on Saturday, August 17, 2024, at the Glen Ridge Congregational Church, 195 Ridgewood Avenue, Glen Ridge, NJ with a light repast to follow at the Church.
As you know, Tom was very devoted to and supportive of the Princeton University Band for over 35 years. Since he had been unable to get to Princeton football tailgates or Reunions for the past couple of years, The Band recently paid tribute to him with a concert at the Crane’s Mill Retirement Community where he lived. This was such a loving and special gesture by the Band to "bring them to him", and we are forever grateful. If you would like to honor Tom with a remembrance in lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Friends of Tiger Band (FOTB), Princeton University, Alumni & Donor Records, P.O. Box 5357, Princeton, NJ 08543.
Arrangements were provided by Codey Funeral Home of Caldwell. Please visit CodeyFH.com to share condolences or memories with the family.