Thomas (Tom) Patrick Hibbits of Jenson Beach, Fla., went to be with the Lord on Friday, July 24, 2020. He was 76.
Son of the late John and Josephine Hibbits, he was born on Nov. 2, 1943, in Brooklyn, N.Y.
Tom graduated from Erasmus Hall High School, Class of 1961. Upon graduation he began work with RCA Communications in New York City. He later transferred to Piscataway, N.J., where he worked for MCI/Worldcom and then retired.
Tom was an avid sports fan with baseball clearly being his favorite, and would often be seen wearing a Giants or Yankees hat. Although Tom enjoyed sports, it was his love of music and dancing that he will be most remembered for. He had an extensive collection of 45 records that he started when he was 12 years old. When Tom had extra money he could be found at the local record store buying the latest number one hit. He could dance a Lindy better than anyone we knew. Although his wife, Noreen, was his favorite partner, he would cut a rug with anyone who would dance with him.
In 1970, Tom moved his family from Brooklyn to Highland Lakes, N.J., to give his family what he believed to be a better life in the country. He remained there until 2016, when he moved to Jenson Beach, Fla., for health reasons. Tom was a humble man who never sought attention but attracted it by everyone. If you knew Tom, you immediately loved him. Tom lived life simply but loved his family and friends deeply. He spent the last the last month of his life watching his four grandchildren get married, turn 21, graduate from the police academy, and acquire a tattoo (1.380) honoring their grandfather’s legacy. They were his pride and joy, and he loved them deeply.
He was the dearly loved husband and best friend of wife, Noreen. They would have celebrated their 57th wedding anniversary on Nov. 16, 2020. He is also survived by the light of his life, his three children and four grandchildren: son, Thomas Patrick junior and his wife, Toni DiMiceli–Hibbits, of West New York, N.J.; daughters, Tracy Hibbits–Berge and her husband, Scott, of Vernon, N.J., and Carol Hibbits–Gonzalez and her husband, William, of Glenwood, N.J.; grandchildren, Ashleigh Lauren Heath and her husband, Justin, and their two children, Bella and Jackson, Kevin Thomas Berge, Victoria Marie Gonzalez, and Michael Alexander Gonzalez. He will also be dearly missed by many lifelong friends, sister, and brother-in-laws, and many nieces and nephews.
Visitation for Thomas will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 6, at the Ferguson—Vernon Funeral Home, 241 Route 94 (One Vanderhoof Court for GPS), Vernon, NJ 07462. A Funeral Mass will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 7, at the Our Lady of Fatima Roman Catholic Church in Highland Lakes. Burial will follow in the North Hardyston Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the American Diabetes Foundation.