Obituary of Thomas G Olden

Thomas Gabriel Olden Sr. of Del Haven, passed away on December 24, 2017 at his home. He was born January 10, 1926 along with his brother James Olden. Thomas grew up during the depression and worked extremely hard to help support his family. His father James J. past very early in life. His tenacity for life and his love for his country grew as he entered into the Merchant Marines. He traveled around the world from France to South Africa during World War II serving his country for several years. He married his 1st wife Margaret Delaney on December 9, 1945. His strong catholic faith and family values flourished with the births of his twelve children Thomas Olden Jr (Patricia), James Olden (Nicole), Michael Olden (Trisha), Marge Haffer (William), John Olden (Mary), Patrick Olden (Sue), Timothy Olden Louise),Cecelia DeLeo (Don), Mary Pezzano (Scott), Joseph Olden (Terri), Anne Becica, and Katie Toogood (Andrew) His strength as Patriarch of the family set a role model when he became a corrections officer at Rahway State Prison and eventually became Chief of Corrections where he served proudly till he retired in 1974. A devout catholic he encourages all his children to grow on their family strengths which culminated in celebrating the births of 26 grandchildren and 23 great grandchildren all of which he spoke of with a smile brimming from ear to ear to anyone who was willing to ask "How are the kids?" He served in the Knights of Columbus for a short time. Volunteered for Catholic House of Charities fundraising for the church. He was a Eucharistic Minister for the Saint Raymond's Church, Villas. His love of the ocean continued as he became an avid sailor as he spent his days aboard his Vessel the Monique. Tom remarried after the passing of his first wife of 56 years to a beloved friend Carol McDonaald in November 2002, And the family grew once more with two more children from Carol's side, Daniel McDonald (Jolene) and Laura Connor along with 5 more grandchildren. After 15 Years of marriage Thomas took the next step in his journey and went home to our Lord on December 24, 2017 at age 91 at his home surrounded by Love. A visitation will be held Friday December 29, 2017 from 7 to 9 PM at the Evoy Funeral Home, 3218 Bayshore Road, North Cape May and Saturday morning from 9:30-10:30 AM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday December 30, 2017 at the Parish of St. John Neumann, St. John of God Church, 680 Townbank Rd. North Cape May, NJ 08204. Burial will follow at the Cape May Co. Veteran's Cemetery, 127 Crest Haven. Rd. CMCH. Condolences will be received at www.evoyfuneralhome.com .