BC Thomas DeAngelis

Tommy was a Chief in the 8th Battalion in Manhattan for the past five years. He felt that being a fireman was the best and most rewarding profession. He often said that he couldn’t ever imagine doing anything else. The comradeship with the guys at the firehouse was so appreciated and important to Tommy. He loved the hours and different shifts of the job‚ allowing him to be home on off-hours to work out at the gym or be available to attend a school function with his daughter Nicole. The only other role in Tommy’s life that matched this pride and contentment he had with being a fireman was being a father to his three children‚ and for just a short while a grandpa to his 2-year-old granddaughter.

Tommy loved life. He met life’s challenges bravely‚ confidently and honestly. Whatever the outcome‚ he embraced it with a smile‚ believing that it’s the way things were meant to be. Tommy was a most loving and dedicated husband. He believed in love and its power to overcome anything. Promising to never succumb to the effects of old age or the need to become dependent‚ he worked out at the gym faithfully.

He was an avid reader and also enjoyed writing short stories in his spare time. His dream was to one day have a book published. Tommy loved the peace and tranquility that sailing brought to his life. The dream of one day owning a sailboat and traveling for weeks on the water was a close reality for him.

Tommy touched all who knew him with his kindness‚ respect and love. There is a huge void in all those lives he touched‚ especially his family’s. But we remember what Tommy would say‚ ‘This is the way it was meant to be.’ Everyday we do move forward in a small way knowing Tommy is still with us-just in a different way.