Thomas B. Lagocki

Thomas B. Lagocki (Lag)

April 20, 1947-May 18, 2023

Thomas Lagocki, 76, of West Creek New Jersey passed in his sleep, after a long fierce battle with cancer on May 18, 2023.

Tom, son of Benjamin and Josephine, was born in his family home in Camden New Jersey on April 20, 1947. Tom was the little brother of his two older sisters, Dolly and Bernadette (Toots).

 Following High School Tom attended Vocational School, where he came to realize his passion for machining and tool making.

 In the 60’s and 70’s after graduating from Vo-Tech, Tom would float from machine shop to machine shop, working just long enough to acquire enough money to then hop in his VW Bus or TR-6 and go hunting, fishing, and camping across the states or North to Canada.

WOODSTOCK would be his ultimate camping experience!

 On July 3, 1981, he married Barbara Jo Mennerick in an outdoor venue (our yard), on a vessel docked in boat slip on the Westecunk Creek in South Jersey where we still reside today.

Had no children but was never without one or more English Pointer Bird Dogs. Oh, and briefly Barb’s Buckskin Appaloosa Mare.

In 1987 Tom took a job with a family-owned boat building company in New Gretna New Jersey called “Viking Yachts”. He loved running the metal shop and problem solving. He had a gift for toolmaking and machining metal.

He made so many good friends in those 37 years of employment.

If the tide was right and the bite was on, fishing was one of his most favorite pastimes. Many fishing stories would be told over the years, especially…the big one that got away! Too bad I’m the one responsible for the ugly truth to that fishing story. He told it often and we’d laugh. Now it is one of my most cherished memories.

Shooting sporting clays was a hobby he also loved. He participated in local competitions and often came home with a trophy for having been the top shooter. He was a natural!

Tom was a strong, yet gentle quiet man with a subtle sense of humor. He was a faithful honest man whose loyalty was steadfast.

Never judged…..especially my vocals to a “Stevie Nicks” song that would play while cruising in the car. He touched many people, and he will be profoundly missed.

Survived by his wife of 41 years, Barbara Jo. Sister’s Dolly and Bernadette. As well as many nieces, nephews and several close guy friends from childhood. 

Pre-deceased by his parents Benjamin and Josephine, as well as a little sister, Theresa Mary, who passed at age one.

To honor my Tom’s wishes there will be no funeral services.

A celebration of life to be announced at a later date.

We’d like to take this opportunity to recognize the many doctors, nurses and specialists who cared for Tom at PENN Medicine in Philadelphia Pa.

YOU LEFT THIS WORLD BUT NOT OUR HEARTS……REST IN PEACE…..TILL WE MEET AGAIN

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