Obituary of Thomas W. Tully

THOMAS W. TULLY, BUSINESS EXECUTIVE HIGH BRIDGE Thomas W. Tully died Thursday, December 27, 2007 at Somerset Medical Center, where he was surrounded by his family after suffering a heart attack on Christmas Day. He was 70. Tom lived a full and extraordinary life and will always be remembered by those persons whose lives he touched. He leaves a legacy as a devoted father, grandfather, mentor and friend. He was born June 30, 1937 in New Brunswick. He was the eldest son of the late William and Anna Papcun Tully, noted central New Jersey antique and rare coin dealers. He was graduated from St. Peter the Apostle High School in New Brunswick in 1954, where he was a standout basketball player. Upon graduation, Tom enlisted in the Air Force, where he served during the Korean War Era. He was recalled to active military duty during the Berlin Air Crisis because of his specialized training as a cryptography expert and was stationed in Germany. An accomplished amateur boxer, Tom represented the United States armed forces in both national and international competition, suffering only one defeat during his amateur career. Returning home, he embarked upon a noteworthy business career that included a 30-year record of service as a senior executive with the McGraw-Hill Companies. Tom was highly respected by his peers within the New York City publishing industry and in Washington, D.C. He was recognized by The United States Postal Service with several special service awards for his long-standing excellence (1997) and long-time dedication (2001) to the Mailers Technical Advisory Committee. In 2000, The American Business Media honored Tom by bestowing the annual Thomas W. Tully award to pivotal officials for outstanding government service to the business media and information industry. Past recipients include the Postmaster General of the United States and a 20-year United States Congressman and Bush Administration political strategist. Tom Tully is a remarkable individual and was a magnificent figure in Washington, said Gordon T. Hughes, president and CEO of American Business Media. Not only did he represent The McGraw-Hill Companies but Tom represented the very best in business media. It was an honor to bestow the prestigious Tom Tully award to a remarkable group of ABM representatives in Washington at this years Spring Meeting. Tom also served the High Bridge community where he resided for 35 years. He was a volunteer firefighter for LH Taylor Hose Company and was a Little League coach for North Hunterdon Little League. Anyone who attended Voorhees High School wrestling matches during the 1980s could hear Toms unmistakable voice echo throughout the gymnasium. He was a 10-year metastatic prostate cancer survivor who often counseled other cancer patients. Tom enjoyed playing billiards, bird watching, and collecting wine. An avid golfer, he was a charter member of the High Bridge Hills Golf Club and was active in the High Bridge Hills Golf Association. A dedicated father, he was always in attendance at any of his childrens activities. Tom is survived by his four children, a daughter, Maureen Swick, of Bethlehem Twp., Pa., a son, Kevin Thomas Tully, of York Twp., Pa., a son, Timothy Tully, of Newark, Del., and a daughter, Kathleen Kalinsky, of Holland Twp., N.J.; his grandson, Carson Swick, of Bethlehem Twp., Pa.; his brother, William Tully, of Readington Twp., N.J., his sister, Patricia Christie, of Phillipsburg, N.J., and his former wife, Patricia Klein, of Bethlehem Township, Pa. The family will receive friends from 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 3, at Martin Funeral Home, Clinton, N.J. (www.martinfh.com). A Mass of Catholic Burial is scheduled for 11 a.m. Friday, Jan. 4, at Immaculate Conception Church, Clinton Twp., N.J. (www.icc-clintonnj.org). Internment is at the Immaculate Conception Cemetery immediately following the funeral mass. Donations may also be made to the High Bridge Emergency Squad (www.hbes.org) in the memory of Thomas W. Tully for their efforts Christmas Day.