Tommy was a classmates  of  mine at St.Joseph Patron elementary school in Brooklyn. We were in the same class for 8 yrs.  Later we met each other in Bayshore at a sports club I worked at. I am shocked and extremely sorry to hear of his passing. May he rest in Gods loving  arms. Nina Guarneri

Mr. Colletti was my teacher during the 1990s and was an unforgettable person— and not just because he looked like he walked right off the set of Baywatch and into the classroom! He was one of those teachers that is truly gifted with connecting with students. He was funny, charismatic, and made you feel “seen”. You could tell that he generally loved young people and watching them grow. 
He convinced me to do AP history during a time I didn’t believe in myself. It only takes one of these special teachers to change a person’s life. Mr. Colletti, thank you for changing mine.  My deepest condolences to the family.

Tom & Sue lived across the street from me. Our children played and grew up together. They remain friends and now their children are friends. Tom & Sue are loving parents & grandparents. I knew them always together. This is why the grief is so deep. I will always remember him as standing tall with a smile that made people feel good.   He will be missed but never forgotten.

I first met Tom when I was a hall monitor at Murphy Junior High School.  He was a young teacher who just became a dad.  I would stop by his classroom and listen to him teach.  He always had the attention of all his students.  
A few years later I became the Guidance Secretary at Gelinas Junior High School where Tom was then teaching.  I enjoyed talking to him about our families.  I was happy to volunteer with Tom when he ran the Special Olympics Field Day Program.
The photo is from the Gelinas 1986 year book.  The theme was Celebrate US.   His words tell you the type of good person he was.
Rest in Heavenly peace Tom.  You made a difference in many lives.

Mr. Coletti was my social studies teacher at Gelinas Jr. High School many years ago.  I am so sorry to hear of his passing.  Most teachers, if I am being honest, I just don’t remember much about. But I can still see Mr. Coletti’s classroom and him leaning up against his desk with his arms folded.

He was just very kind and very conversational with all of the students.  I think that is why we all loved him so much.  He made us feel like we mattered, like he really cared about us and enjoyed being around us.  He must have been in his late 30s and lots of girls had crushes on him!  

I remember that he talked about his wife a lot so I could tell how much he loved her.  You will be missed and thanks for the inspiration, I have a BA in history!

I am so sorry for your loss. Tom will be truly missed. When my daughter was attending Ward Melville HS, she was having a hard time. Tom had Lauren come for lunch in his office and they would talk about how to do better and prioritize her work. To this day, we attribute his guidance and help as the reason why she eventually graduated from high school. He was a true educator who put students first. There is a place in heaven for Tom and I will be praying for your family.

Mr. Colletti was one of my favorite teachers . I had him for 2 years of social studies and a track coach 1974-1977 at Murphy. He was able to connect with his students and showed he really cared. I stopped in to see  him about 15 years  ago when he was the principal at Murphy. It was so good to catch up with him. I am so sorry for your loss. Just know he was beloved by so many  students and teachers. ❤️‍🩹🙏

Susan ,Kristen and to you Nicole my special education friend and colleague, I am so sorry to hear this news. Your husband Susan and Kristen and Nicole your dad was a Three Village administrator I had high respect for during my working years in Three Village including in my role as Union Rep at school board meetings where I'd see him late into the night as sharp as a tack, positive, and well prepared in every way.
Please ,all of you , carry on as well as you possibly can -  I think that's exactly what he would want you all to try to do

Sincerely 
Eric Haracz
North Palm Beach Fl
Setauket Sch 1980-2007

Tom, I remember when we first met after you moved to Ridgewood.  I think we became best friends right away.
Your family moved about five doors away from Susan’s house.  Susan & I knew each other all our lives, I mean all our lives.  We were born about ten days apart & our Mothers walked together with us & in our carriages.  
Soon you were asking me about that beautiful girl that lived a few houses away.  On the other side of this future married couple, Susan was asking about you.  It took a little bit of time for me to introduce you guys because you were a little shy or scared probably both.  Girls, when we were kids, never would approach a guy.
The time had come to introduce you, Susan had threatened me with bodily harm if I didn’t do it soon.  I remember Susan sitting on her stoop with her friend Ann when we came over.  That’s the story of how Tom & Susan; also, it’s about how we became best friends.
Tom, you will be missed by so many people but, you will always be with me in my thoughts & in my heart.  God bless you my friend.

Kathie and I are saddened to hear of the passing of our “young” colleague, Tom, and send our prayers and condolences to his family. He was a great guy and a wonderful teacher and coach. For those of you lucky enough to hear him sing as part of the famous 50’s doo-wop group “The 4 Best Looking Guys in the World” you were in for a treat. 
He was a man of many talents. It was an honor to know him and call him my friend. He will truly be missed. 
Dr. Dan Comerford

Sincerest condolences to Tom's family and friends.  I worked at Gelinas Junior High with Tom and appreciated that he was always an upbeat guy.  He contributed much to the girls' athletic program as the basketball and softball coach.  May you rest in peace.  Rosalie (Ro) Falco

I loved Tom Colletti. He was my eighth grade history teacher. Mr . Colletti and Mr. Heisman were my two favorite teachers I ever had. Mr. Colletti was an example of what a teacher should be.  The world is minus one great one   He will truly be missed. 
Love you, Mr. Colletti  

Rest in Peace. 
Erik Dimech

Our deepest condolences to the family so sad to hear the news about Tom. Worked with him at Gelinas and Ward Melville i have lots of memories of our time there all good, He was a great leader the kids loved him and so did the staff.   He will be missed till we meet again Tom Rest in Peace and fly high love the memories . DeNicola family

My family and I were so saddened to hear of Toms passing .  As his hairdresser for about 30 years we saw each other regularly. Tom was a loyal and kind man .  Our conversations centered around Sue ,the girls ,and his beautiful grandchildren. He was always upbeat and positive except when the  Yankees were losing. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family at this difficult time . Rest in peace Tom .

Mr. Colletti was as much a part of my childhood as was recess and detention. I knew him before he became big time when he was a coach and teacher. I remember hanging out in his office talking before practices or in bw classes. Whenever you were around him he was just so real in his polished way. I was so happy to hear he was such a success. He was a great and caring guy.  He’s one for the ages. I am sorry to his family and loved ones.

As a teacher we are often asked questions of self reflection like what is your “why” or your “who” as in what/who was it that inspired you to work in education. We are reminded to always keep those thoughts in our mind as we go through our “teaching” years and to remember them when you need to motivate yourself to stay positive in the most difficult moments. Many times I have had to answer these questions and Mr. Colletti was always in my answer for my “who”. He made learning fun, he was filled with “dad jokes” but we all loved them, he and I also had a very sarcastic back and forth banter in class and the hall, even after I was no longer his student. He signed my Gelinas yearbook poking fun at who I chose as my JHS crush. He was always in tune with what was going on among the students socially. He was just the right mix of teacher, coach, and an adult that we could go to and just be ourselves. He always connected with the kids. I can’t say I remember many of the 7th grade SS lessons he taught, but I can tell you the exact classroom we were in and seat I sat in and recall laughing every single day. As luck would have it, I too teach 7th grade SS now and as I have taught this for many years, Mr. Colletti’s class memories come up often. He was the best. He was so proud of his family and often told us about his daughters who were close to our age. He will truly be remembered in the memories of many students and colleagues forever. Praying for his family and friends who loved him most and praying he rests peacefully! 💪🏻💚💛

By far, Mr. Colletti was my favorite teacher (circa 1986). He made his students feel important and made learning fun. He got me to like social studies, when I didn't think it was possible. I don't think anyone didn't love being in his class. So sorry to hear of his passing. My deepest condolences to his loved ones.

Colletti Family, 
   Mr Colletti was my 8th grade SS teacher. I am now 51. My children also had him as their fill in principal at Ward Melville. He was one of my favorites! Made us memorize the preamble to the constitution which I still know today! He brought the subject to life and always had a story and his 1,000 watt smile that made everyday better! Please know how much his student loved and respected him and he will live on in our memories forever. As a teacher (my mom was one too) she used to say you just want to know you made a difference to one kid in your life. I can say he made a difference in mine and I know in many others too. May he rest in eternal peace.        Sincerely ,
                             Allison Marcellino Gelinas 1987

I am literally so sad reading this. Mr. Colletti, was my Social Studies Teacher at Gelinas Jr High School in 1986, and was by far my favorite Teacher in all my school years. He was an incredible mentor and an amazing Softball coach too! My heart is sad, as Mr. C was always someone I could talk to no matter what the teenage “problems” I was having at the time. Praying for his family to find comfort in knowing what a special person he was and may He rest in eternal Peace. ❤️🙏🫶🏻

Tom was the epitome of who we want teaching and leading our children . My sincere sympathy to Susan and family . Your pictures and memories will keep his legacy strong . JE Mosca

Mr. Colletti was one of the best teachers I had in school. He was funny and witty. He made history fun. Colletti always talked about his wife and girls and the traveling they would do. He loved his student almost as much as himself. lol. Until we meet again Colletti 🤍

Mr. Colletti was a wonderful teacher and softball coach.  He was the kind of teacher that made you want to go to school. If you were having a tough day his door was alway open. Very sad to hear of his passing. Prayer to his family and friends.

Mr Colletti was my social studies teacher at PJ Gelinas JHS in 1986.  He was a constant supplier of support, guidance, inspiration, and wit. He truly cared about all of his students and was one of the reasons I became a public school  teacher.  He was a role model and an exceptional  teacher and person.

May God bless his family 
Shannon Handley

Tom was a wonderful person  I knew him when I was in high School or middle school ! He always made me feel empowered !  He was my favorite teacher. 
He always had a smile on his face.  He was such a caring person.    I will miss him 

I said my deepest regards to His wife and family may rest in peace

Erica

Mr. Colletti was a really great History Teacher. He certainly loved pointing at things on a map to flex and crack us up. He was a ton of fun and left a lasting impression that made him one of a handful of teachers that stuck out to so many of us over 25 years later. He wanted nothing more than to see us all reach our potential and be the best version of ourselves. I know how lucky I am to have been one of his students. My prayers are with all of you! Please know there is a sea of former kids out there who will carry him with us always!
Rest in Peace Mr. Colletti, you will be missed and cherished!

I have such great memories of Mr. Colletti. He was my social studies teacher at Murphy Junior high…. and my track coach. I certainly gave him a run for his money. I’m sure we all from class of 88 … have so many fun .. and wonderful memories of him. I can still see him standing at the chalkboard.. laughing with us. Sending love and prayers to his family. Too young to be gone. Fly high in heaven Mr. Colletti. You will be missed by us all. 🙏🏻💔

You were a wonderful educator, mentor, Principle and source of support to our entire class in  junior high school. And  we were fortunate enough to have you with us for our entire high school careers. I know that I don’t speak alone when I say; you got me through some of the most challenging years. You were a joy and a comfort to so many of us. Rest in peace Principle Colletti. You will never be forgotten. Sending condolences to your family during this time of great loss.

Rich and I are so sorry to hear of Tom’s passing .  I have very fond memories of teaching and coaching with him  at Murphy JHS . He was a great member of our Social Studies department and coach in Track and other sports. Tom was a pleasure to work with and  his students and players loved him .
Again our deepest condolences on your loss  and may you find solace in the loving embrace of our Lord and Savior Jesus. 
🫶Judy P Martin

So many memories of Mr. Colletti from his time at Murphy Junior High School as a coach and a teacher. He was an encouraging, kind and thoughtful educator. He cared about us and wanted us to do well, and we knew he meant it.  He truly made an impact. Sending prayers and condolences to his family.

So many wonderful memories of Mr. Colletti 
from when he taught at Murphy Junior High.
He was my track coach for a year as well- always such an encouraging and caring person and educator. We were fortunate to have him, and I never forgot him or the impact he had on so many of us. My condolences to his family and  to the  many who are feeling this loss.

Kristen, my  sincerest  condolences to you and all your family on the loss of your Dad, Thomas Colletti.
 May all the beautiful memories of a life well lived bring you all some peace and comfort now and always. 

Ger

Stand up guy! So sorry to hear of his passing. Prayers to his friends and family. Love, The Cervone family.

For me, I will always treasure Tom’s easy smile and great laugh. I first met him at Murphy Jr. H., back in the 80’s., then we worked together at Ward Melville.  He spoke at my retirement party and I thought he would talk about my A.P.Art classes and the successes we had enjoyed, but no, Tom talked about all the years I was the P.M. Art teacher.  I taught the kids that came after school hours…as he  talked,  I was so moved.  He was so genuine, so thoughtful and always so supportive of everyone he ever met.  I truly admired and respected him and loved him too.

Very sad news. I had Mr. Colletti as a track coach at Murphy 40 plus years ago. Wonderful coach and teacher. My condolences to the family

Tom and I were colleagues in the Three Village School District for many years. He was my Department Chairperson and later Principal of Ward Melville HS.
Having worked at the high school since 1969, I have worked with man administrators, but Tom was certainly among the very best.
One would always find him with a smile on his face and a positive personality that radiated to everyone.
It was a true privilege to know him and call him a friend.
He will truly be missed.

Thank you Tom (Mr. Colletti) for all the support, mentoring and laughs! I had the pleasure of playing for you at Murphy JH on the first section XI women’s soccer team to working along side you teaching and coaching at Gelinas JH.  We also managed to make the best of every moment.  Prayers to your family as you will be missed dearly.

OBITUARY

Thomas Anthony Colletti

January 21, 1951 – August 29, 2024

Claude R. Boyd–Spencer Funeral Home

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