Tom was born in Jersey City, NJ on August 26, 1932 to Bart and Isabel Clements. Tom grew up in Bayonne, NJ attending St. Vincent's Grade School and Bayonne High School. He travelled the country with the award winning St. Vincent de Paul Drum and Bugle Corp. Being known as "Whitey" he played multiple sports, excelling on the swimming team. He was employed by P. Lorillard & Company until being inducted into the U.S. Army on January 12, 1953, serving during the Korean War in both combat and clerical positions until his separation on October 28, 1954. He attended St. Peter's College in Jersey City, graduating with a BA in Business Administration in 1958. He was employed by the Equitable Insurance Co., now known as Cigna, specializing in employee benefits packages. Tom was transferred to Elgin to start a new benefits office for Equitable in January 1976 and settled with his family in Crystal Lake. From 1955 until 1965 he performed with the Archer Epler Musketeers Drum and Bugle Corps, playing bugle travelling the East Coast and Midwest wining many awards with the corps.
Tom wed Barbara Kocis on November 18, 1961 and welcomed their daughter Stacey Ann on October 10, 1965. Barbara passed on February 22, 1971.
Tom wed Arlene Hutter on August 20, 1973 and welcomed their daughter Kimberly on February 4, 1974. Arlene passed on September 13, 1983.
Tom has been a faithful Knight of Columbus for over 60 years both in Bayonne and as one of the founding members of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Council #10678. He, Arlene, Stacey, and Kimberly are one of the founding families of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish. He had been a longtime usher at 11:15am Mass. Tom was also an avid bowler in leagues at Wayne's Lanes and Crystal Bowl.
Beloved husband of Mary E. "Sue" Clements, married April 21, 1990. Loving father of Kimberly (Eric) Biehl and the late Stacey Ann Duffy; dear brother of Bart (the late Barbara), the late Eugene, and Michael. Preceded in death by his parents, Bart and Isabel. Fond uncle of Kevin (Sally) Clements and Timothy Clements. Loved and enjoyed by Mary's Philly family.
Visitation will be from 4 to 8pm on Friday, July 20 at Querhammer & Flagg Funeral Home, 500 W. Terra Cotta Ave., Crystal Lake. There will be continued visitation from 9:30am to 10:15am prayers at the funeral home on Saturday, July 21 with a procession for the 11am Funeral Mass at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church, 1023 McHenry Ave., Crystal Lake.
Interment will be in Windridge Memorial Park, Cary.
For information call the funeral home at 815-459-1760. Online condolences may be made at www.querhammerandflagg.com.
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