Obituary of Thomas A. Ejk, Jr.
South Plainfield – Thomas A. Ejk, Jr., 86, passed away peacefully on Friday, September 08, 2023, alongside his wife Maribeth, at JFK Medical Center in Edison, NJ.
Born and raised in South Plainfield, Tom was a longtime resident of the borough. He graduated from North Plainfield High School in 1955, and was a proud member of the Rider Business College Class of 1959. Tom enlisted in the Army National Guard in 1959 and proudly served for four years as a Tank Commander in a tactical armor battalion.
Following business school, Tom was the Director of Auto New Business at Allstate for a year, then Sold Business Forms for UARCO before attending Newark State Teacher College to become an accredited Special Education Teacher.
With his accreditation, Tom taught in various schools throughout the Piscataway School District over his 32 year career. One of his many accomplishments was starting a small engine repair course for the special education department, which became so popular, it was later opened for the entire High School.
Following his retirement in 1994, Tom married Maribeth Venezia, in 1996, after an 8 year courtship and the two were inseparable since. Traveling all over the world, Tom did not miss an opportunity to be outside. He enjoyed backpacking, camping, hiking, hunting and fishing, no matter where he was in his travels. At home, he could often be found in his garden, canning the produce he grew, or training his French Brittany Spaniels. However, it was the time spent with Maribeth that he cherished the most.
Predeceased by his parents, Tom leaves behind his wife of 27 and a ½ years, Maribeth Venezia; two sons, Kenneth and his wife Barbara, and Craig and his wife Jennifer; and grandchildren, Melissa, Daniel, Joshua, Kate and Christie, along with a host of extended relatives and friends.
A visitation will be held at McCriskin – Gustafson Home for Funerals, 2425 Plainfield Avenue, South Plainfield, NJ, on Thursday, September 14, 2023, from 4 PM to 8 PM.
A funeral mass will be held at Sacred Heart RC Church, 149 South Plainfield Avenue, South Plainfield, NJ, on Friday, September 15, 2023, at 10 AM. Family and friends may gather at the funeral home beginning at 9 AM.
Cremation services will be held privately, and a burial will be held on Monday, September 18, 2023, at St. Gertrude’s Cemetery, 53 Inman Avenue, Colonia, NJ. Those looking to attend the burial may gather at McCriskin – Gustafson Home for Funerals at 9 AM.
In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that donations be made to the Nature Conservancy or the World Wildlife Fund, in Tom’s name.