Thomas A Skorupski, Sr.

Thomas Skorupski Sr., lifelong resident of Bloomfield NJ and longtime owner of the Old Canal Inn in Nutley, peacefully passed away in St. Barnabas Medical Center In Livingston NJ surrounded loving family on September 1, 2023.

Tom is survived by three sons, Kevin and his wife Paula, Robert and John. He is survived by his grandsons Ryan, Jacob and Andrew as well as a Great-Granddaughter Remi. He was predeceased by his parents Nancy and Anthony, his wife Helen, and his son Thomas Jr. . He is also survived by his brother Anthony “George” and his wife Vicki & sister in law Debra.  He was also the Uncle and Great -Uncle to many nieces and nephews.

Tom spent the majority of his growing years at the Old Canal Inn with his parents who were the proprietors. After graduating from Bloomfield High School, Tom enlisted in the US Navy where he served from February 1960 to January 1965. Following bootcamp, he married his high school sweetheart Helen and they began their family. In the Navy Tom was stationed on the USS Abraham Lincoln nuclear submarine. He was very proud of his work in the Navy and was also the recipient of several good conduct awards. While on his missions, he held the position of fire control officer. He also achieved the status of Bluenose, a sailor who crossed the Arctic Circle above 66’34’N. He was deployed during the Cuban missile crisis and spent 65 days at sea during this deployment. Tom was very proud that he had been 3500 feet above ground and 600 feet below sea level.

In 1964, Tom was honorably discharged by the US Navy and returned to his wife Helen and first two sons, Thomas Jr. and Kevin. They continued to add to their family with Robert and John.He took a position underneath his parents at the Old Canal Inn where he managed the business and often worked behind the bar or in the kitchen. He was a survivor of the Death Seat Legend unlike the two men who were not as lucky. After the passing of Tom’s parents, Tom took over ownership of the Old Canal Inn which he owned for a long period of time. After the death of his wife, he sold the Canal and considered himself retired.

Tom and Helen enjoyed time with their three grandsons ( Ryan, Jake and Andrew). They also enjoyed spending vacations in Brick, NJ. Their time was spent fishing, crabbing and going out on their boat, the “Nancy Du”. He also enjoyed building model boats, working with Lionel trains and completing 3D puzzles (much to his wife's dismay).

Tom will be honored at Levondoski-Grillo Funeral home in Bloomfield, NJ on Saturday Sep 9, 2023 from 10:00 am-12:00 with a brief service at 11:30. He will then join his wife at the Mount Olivet Cemetery also located in Bloomfield, NJ.