Thomas Paul Del Monico, known as Tommy to his wife, Tom to his friends and, most importantly, as Dad, Grampy or Great-Grampy, to the family who meant everything to him, passed away leaving behind a lifetime of love, laughter, loyalty, and stories that will be told for generations.

Originally from Brooklyn, New York, he was raised with two brothers and a sister and survived by a large extended family. During that time, he was blessed with extraordinary friends whose loyalty never wavered. Through decades of celebrations, changes, losses, and everything life brought with it, they continued to show up for one another. They were the true definition of lifelong friendship, and Tom treasured them deeply.

Tom later made his home first in Mastic Beach for many years and then in East Quogue with his beloved wife, Vicki. He was charismatic, funny, fiercely loyal, incredibly social, stubborn, and blessed with a heart of pure gold. He was the kind of person you didn't simply meet; you remembered him.

Tom was a proud veteran of the United States Navy, where he had the distinction of serving as a member of the Honor Guard. His service remained a source of great pride throughout his life and reflected so much of the man he was: loyal, committed, proud, and deeply respectful of service and duty.

Following his military service, Tom built his career with the telephone company, where his natural ability to connect with people served him well. But Tom's friendships extended far beyond any one workplace or chapter of his life. That kind of loyalty was fitting because Tom gave it just as fiercely as he received it. Once Tom considered you one of his people, you mattered to him.

Around his neighborhood, he earned the affectionate and unofficial title of "the mayor of the development." Tom was in tune with everything happening around him - who was doing what, who had something going on, and probably a few things nobody realized he knew. He was endlessly social, genuinely interested in people, and made connections everywhere he went. His circle was wide because his heart was wide.

The depth of the impression Tom left on people could sometimes be found in the smallest moments. After his passing, even the gentleman who cared for his lawn arrived at the family home with tears in his eyes. That was Tom. His warmth wasn't reserved for the people closest to him. He made people feel seen, remembered, and important, and they remembered him in return.

But for as many people as Tom knew and loved, there was never any question who stood at the center of his world: his beloved wife! Vicki was his person, his partner, and the love of his life. The way Tom looked at her was the kind of love people think only exists in movies. Even after 65 years together, there was a light in his eyes for her that never faltered.

She knew every version of Tom - the charming, funny, handsome man with his carefully combed beard, perfectly done hair, familiar cologne, and the way he could look downright dapper when he dressed up. Or the man who could be thick as a brick, impossibly hard-headed, and more than capable of driving her absolutely crazy. She loved all of him and he adored her. Together, Tom and Vicki built what would become Tom's greatest source of pride: their family.

Tom was the proud father of Linette and Dean and his daughter in law, Maureen. His daughter, Linette, shared an especially close bond with both of her parents. She stood beside Tom as he cared for Vicki, and when Vicki became ill, the whole family did everything they could to support both of them and help care for her. After Vicki's passing, Linette and Dean remained devoted to their dad, caring for him and walking beside him through the difficult years that followed, with the love and support of their family.

Through his son Dean, Tom was the enormously proud grandfather of Justin and Brittany, and their spouses, Kristin and Daniel. The family continued to grow with the addition of his adored five great-grandchildren: Reagan, Morgan, Daniel, Kolton and Mackenzie. He loved his grandchildren and great grandchildren and they brought him much joy.

He was immensely proud of what his children and grandchildren accomplished, but perhaps even more proud of the lives they created for themselves. He wanted them to make choices that brought them happiness, to build families of their own, and to have lives they were proud to call theirs. Their successes made him proud. Their happiness made him happy. Everything Tom did was rooted, in one way or another, in wanting something better for the people he loved.

Life was not always gentle with Tom. He knew hard work, illness, heartache, physical pain, and tremendous loss. Yet even while enduring more than many people around him realized, complaining about it simply wasn't his way. His one intolerable loss was losing his beloved wife, Vicki. Her death tore a hole in his heart that nothing could fill. He continued on, surrounded by a family who loved him fiercely, enduring illness and hardship with that same stubborn strength that had carried him through so much of his life. But those closest to him knew how profoundly he missed his wife and how deeply he longed to be with her again.

To know Tom was to have a story about him, to be loved by him was a privilege. And to have had the privilege of loving him in return was a gift his family and friends will carry with them for the rest of their lives.There is profound sadness in saying goodbye to Tom. But for those who knew how much he loved and missed Vicki. Tommy has finally been reunited with his beloved wife for eternity.

Family will receive friends on Wednesday, August 12th from 2:00pm - 4:00pm & 7:00pm - 9:00pm.  A Mass of Resurrection will be held on Thursday, August 13th at 10:30AM fro St. Rosalie's Church in Hampton Bays.  A private cremation will follow the mass