Thomas Jude Mascia

In Loving Memory Of

Thomas Jude Mascia

Thomas Jude Mascia, affectionately known as Tom, passed away on October 19, 2026, at the age of 66.

Born in Howard Beach, New York, Tom moved to Bethpage with his parents, Marie and Philip, while his mother was expecting his younger sister, Christine. Bethpage became his lifelong home, where he grew up, built lasting friendships, and remained for the rest of his life.

Tom was a unique character with a quirky personality, a good sense of humor, and a fondness for corny jokes. He was generally easygoing, although he certainly had a mind of his own. He appreciated the little things in life and, above all, was genuinely grateful for the kindness and generosity others showed him. His gratitude was evident at every turn, and he never forgot when someone was helpful or kind to him.

Tom was proud of his work as a custodian for the Island Trees School District, where he worked for more than 25 years until an injury forced him into disability. His work was an important part of his life, and he took pride in what he did.

Family was always important to Tom. He enjoyed spending time with family, particularly during the holidays. Those gatherings at his cousin Jody\\\\\\\'s house, filled with home-cooked meals, young cousins, laughter, conversation, and leftovers to take home, were among the special traditions that kept family connections strong.

Tom shared a particularly close bond with his mother, Marie, with whom he lived and cared for until her passing in 2019. His younger sister, Christine, was the light of his life. Her death in 2017 devastated him, and he carried that loss deeply. During this difficult chapter, his counselor, Madeline, became a saving grace. She provided Tom with a safe and compassionate place to express his feelings, work through his grief, and cope with the loss of his beloved sister. Her support meant so much to him.

Tom\\\\\\\'s friendships were an essential part of his life. Many of his childhood friendships lasted a lifetime, and those friends became family. His lifelong friend, Steve, was always someone he could turn to, whether he needed somewhere to go, someone to spend time with, or simply wanted to be social. That familiar friendship and companionship meant a great deal to Tom.

Tom also had a passion for classic cars and belonged to the Friday Night Car Club of Bellmore. During the warmer months, when car-show season was open, he could be found every week at the car shows at the Bellmore train station. He especially enjoyed spending time with Frank and Frank\\\\\\\'s 100-year-old father, sharing stories, memories, and conversations about cars. Those weekly gatherings were something he truly looked forward to and brought him tremendous enjoyment.

Tom was also an avid fisherman, a passion he shared with his grandfather, Henry. Fishing was never something that required much planning for Tom. He kept his tackle box, fishing poles, and a few folding chairs in the back of his car so that whenever the spirit moved him, he was ready to find a spot and cast a line. He loved the thrill of catching fish, but he especially enjoyed bringing them home to eat. It was one of those simple pleasures that brought him happiness and joy and a link to the memories of times past with his Grandpa.

Tom was also fortunate to have wonderful neighbors in Hector and his family, whose kindness and generosity played an instrumental role in helping him maintain his independence and continue living in his own home. They never failed to check in on him, stop by for a visit, say hello, or lend a helping hand with the things that had become difficult for him to manage on his own. Their thoughtfulness and genuine concern provided comfort, companionship, and reassurance to both Tom and his mother, Marie, as they navigated the challenges of aging in their home. Tom\\\\\\\'s family is deeply grateful to Hector and his entire family for the care, kindness, and friendship they showed Tom and Marie. Their presence in his life was a true gift, and their generosity will always be remembered.

Tom also treasured the little traditions that made relationships special. He never forgot a birthday and always made a point of calling. One particularly special tradition was the birthday lunches he shared with his cousin, Jody, celebrating each other\\\\\\\'s birthdays together. Tom turned 66 on September 23, 2026, and received a call from his cousin while she was traveling in Ireland. He was absolutely delighted to hear from her from the other side of the world and was so appreciative of the thoughtfulness of that call. It was a perfect reflection of Tom: someone who never took the kindness of others for granted and whose appreciation was always genuine.

Tom never married and had no children of his own, but he was surrounded by people who loved him. His lifelong friendships, his devotion to family, and the many people who looked out for him were a testament to the connections he made throughout his life.

Tom will be remembered for his quirky humor, his steel-trap memory, his love of classic cars and fishing, his loyalty to friends, his devotion to family, and above all, his grateful heart. He may have enjoyed the simple things in life, but the relationships he built and the memories he left behind were anything but simple.

He will be missed by those who knew him, loved him, shared a laugh with him, celebrated birthdays with him, and were fortunate enough to be part of his life.

May he now find peace, reunited with his parents, Marie and Phil, and his beloved sister, Christine, whom he missed so dearly. Tom ended every phone call with these words, “Bye bye for now.” Rest easy, Tom, until we meet again.

Direct Burial to be held at St Charles Cemetery 2015 Wellwood Ave, Farmingdale, NY. Tuesday Nov 10, 2026 at 12pm.