Obituary of Thomas William Sayers, Sr,

Thomas William Sayers Sr., age 77, of Annandale, NJ, passed away peacefully on Thursday, July 25, 2024, five days short of his 78th birthday. He was born on July 30, 1946, in Teaneck, NJ, to Frank and Louise Sayers. 

Tom was a graduate of Teaneck High School and went on to further his education, graduating from Bergen County Community College in 1966. Tom served our country, enlisting into the United States Navy from 1966 through 1970. He worked as a USS Hornet Signalman (CVS12). 

Tom and his naval crew picked up the Apollo 11 and Apollo12 astronauts, as well as met President Nixon on his naval carrier, the USS Hornet. 

Tom was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Medal, 3 Bronze Stars, the Republic of Vietnam Medal with Device, and the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (Korea). 

Following a flourishing career in the Navy, Tom would go on to own a successful packaging supply, sales, and service company for 30 years, Saypack Co., Inc..  

Tom married the love of his life, Carol, on July 6, 1997. Tom was a dedicated family man and was blessed with a son, Thomas Jr.; daughter Andrea; stepson, Jarrod; and stepdaughter, Sherri. 

A proud US Veteran, Tom was a member of many veteran associations including: the USS Hornet Association, Inc., US Navy Memorial, the American Legion Post 457, Disabled American Veterans Chapter 457 in Phillipsburg, NJ, the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 452 in Flemington, NJ, a Life member of the VFW Post 5119 in Glen Gardner, NJ, and a Hunterdon County Veteran. 

As a proud Hunterdon County resident, he volunteered at the Red Mill Museum in Clinton, NJ.

In his pastime, Tom enjoyed traveling, sailing, museums, attending Broadway shows, politics, and military history. But most of all, he enjoyed spending time creating special memories with his family and friends.  

Tom will be forever missed by his loving wife, Carol Sayers of 27 years; son, Thomas Sayers Jr. and his wife Susan of Kingston, MA; daughter, Andrea Alfieri and her husband Dominic of Long Valley, NJ; stepson, Jarrod Greenfield of Pennington, NJ; stepdaughter Sherri Glaab and her husband Chris of Annandale, NJ; 4 grandchildren: Bella, Sofia, Thomas and Tyler; and his sister, Linda Wilson of Highland Lakes, NJ. 

He is predeceased by his parents, Frank and Louise Sayers; brothers: Frank Sayers, Jr., Raymond Sayers; and his sister, Mary Ellen Sayers. 

Family and friends are invited to visit with Tom’s family on Wednesday, July 31, 2024, from 2:00 pm until 5:00 pm, with a Catholic Prayer Service and Military Honors beginning at 5:00 pm at Martin Funeral Home,1761 Rt. 31, Clinton, NJ 08809. 

Tom’s urn will be laid to rest on Friday, August 2nd at 10:00am at the Gate of Heaven Mausoleum, 225 Ridgedale Avenue, East Hanover, NJ 07936.

Donations in Tom’s name may be made to: VFW Post 5119, Spruce Run, 179 Main Street, Glen Gardner, NJ  08826-3607.