Thomas Walter Witkowski

Thomas Walter Witkowski, 79, formerly of Hillsdale, Woodcliff Lake and Northvale, NJ, passed away at noon on Monday December 1, 2020 from a swift and sudden illness that had nothing to do with Covid-19.

Beloved father of sons Robert, Joseph, Thomas and his wife Heather. Adored by his granddaughters Samantha, Alexandra, Isabel and Ashley. Loved by his brother and golf partner Joseph S. Witkowski and his wife Constance. He is also survived by loving cousins, nieces, nephews and more friends than most people can assemble in a mere lifetime.

Born March 9, 1941 to Lottie and Joseph Witkowski in Chicago, IL, Tom was a high school basketball star of Monticello High School. There, he met and married head cheerleader, Joanne Stephens. After serving in the Army Reserves in Georgia, Tom earned a business degree at Eastern Illinois and began his career as a labor executive. They had his first son, Robert, but Joanne had Multiple Sclerosis, and died in 1978.

Tom met and married his second wife, Margaret Hewer, while working at Sun Chemical in Fort Lee, NJ. He eventually became the corporate VP of Labor Relations. Married for 43 years of sharp-witted banter and love, they had two more sons, Joseph and Thomas, before she passed away from ALS in 2018.

Tom thrived when golfing, playing more than 20 of the greatest courses in the world, including St. Andrews. He relished fine dining (but preferred pubs), Broadway shows, and summers in Long Beach Island with his family. He also enjoyed annual vacations to Aruba with friends. He was a skilled blackjack player and was riveted watching any sports—especially his NY Giants. He loved two women (and more importantly captured their love back), raised three VERY different sons, delighted in four granddaughters, threw legendary parties, and traveled the globe—even riding aboard the iconic Orient Express!

He led by example, instilling the importance of love, faith, honesty, loyalty, family, and strong work ethic. We will forever miss his gracious nature, the mischievous smile, merciless jokes, loving hugs, overly generous soul, wicked humor, and his calming demeanor in the greatest of storms. An anchor for all, the world is suddenly a lot less interesting without him in it.

Funeral and memorial services are deferred until Covid-19 is in the history books so everyone can gather safely together—anyone who knew Tom knows all he’d want is a big party (with open bar).

In lieu of flowers, please donate in his name to: National Multiple Sclerosis Society of Greater Illinois 525 West Monroe Street, Suite 1510, Chicago, IL 60661. https://www.nationalmssociety.org/Chapters/ILD/Donate or The ALS Association Greater New York Chapter, 42 Broadway, Suite 1724, New York, NY 10004 http://web.alsa.org/site/TR?fr_id=14139&pg=entry