Tommy Hasley

Obituary

Tom (Tommy) Lynn Hasley passed on Saturday, September 29, 2018 with his family by his side, after a relentless and courageous journey fighting Stage IV Colon Cancer for close to four years. 

Tom dedicated his life to the philosophy of faith, family and friends.

Faith … Tom was born to Robert and Mary Hasley on September 6, 1952 in Kansas City, Missouri.  He was the youngest of six biological siblings.  He graduated from Central High School in 1970 and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1976 from Rockhurst University; a Jesuit College in Kansas City, Missouri.  While at Rockhurst, he practiced the ideal of “finding God in all things”.  Throughout his cancer journey, Tom followed the path that God lit for him, and professed that when one door closes, another window opens, but you have to be willing to receive it.   

Family … Tom accepted his first management job opportunity with Massey Ferguson in Des Moines, Iowa and met the love of his life; Sheryl Watson through a mutual friend.  After a whirlwind year and a half romance, Tom and Sheryl married on September 22, 1979.

Tom and his family relocated to Illinois to pursue his next career opportunity at Boise Cascade. On September 26, 1980, they welcomed their first daughter, Traci, in Downers Grove, Illinois and had their second daughter, Shelley, in Kingwood, Texas on August 15, 1982.  For over 30+ years, Tom escalated in the corporate ranks from Senior Operations Manager to General Manager to a Chief Operating Executive in the paper manufacturing industry.  He led major operations for Boise Cascade, Fort Howard, Sweetheart Cup and Gaylord.  In the latter part of his career, Tom was in a senior leadership role at Integrated Packaging Corporation.  Most recently, he was the Vice President of Sales at Lanco York, Incorporated.  Tom and his family went through ten company relocations; living in Illinois, Texas, New Jersey, Maryland and Pennsylvania.  The family settled in New Jersey, where Tom lived in Cream Ridge for the past ten years and currently in Hamilton Township.  Tom dedicated his life to providing for and protecting his loved ones and building his family legacy.

Tom is preceded in death by his parents Robert and Mary Hasley and sister, Lenore Hasley Martin. 

Tom is survived by his wife Sheryl, two daughters Traci Hasley-Dube and husband Nathan Dube of Hamilton Township, New Jersey; Shelley Kendall and husband Marvin Kendall II of North Brunswick, New Jersey; and two grandchildren, Marvin Allen Kendall III and Harper Thomas Kendall. 

He is also survived by his siblings: Henry (Hank) Hasley and his wife Beverly of Peculiar, Missouri; Bobbie Johnson of Peculiar, Missouri; Samuel Hasley of Independence, Missouri; Bryndal Parks of Kansas City, Missouri; Garland Hill and his wife Sharon of Raytown, Missouri; and Richard (RC) Ross and his wife Etta of Kansas City, Missouri; plus, his Aunt Piccola Washington of Pine Bluff, Arkansas. In addition, his brother in-law and sister in-laws, whom regard Tom as their brother include: Kimberly Watson-Finley and her husband Norman of Powder Springs, Georgia; Kevin Watson of Houston, Texas; Sharon Watson of Fort Lauderdale, Florida and Karen Watson of Lawrenceville, New Jersey; plus, a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and close friends.

Friends … Tom was an avid golfer who traveled with his golf buddies to a myriad of courses from the east coast to the west coast and abroad, including the notable Bethpage Black Course in Long Island, New York.  He loved listening to Nancy Wilson and Anita Baker, as well as various gospel singers, like Marvin Sapp and Donnie McClurkin, who touched his heart. Tom was a learned man with quick wit, always impeccably well-dressed, and exceptionally generous to strangers and friends alike.  He was the type of man who changed the lives of everyone he encountered. 

Family, friends and colleagues are invited to The First Baptist Church of Lincoln Gardens, 771 Somerset Street, Somerset, New Jersey 08873 at 11:00am on Friday, October 12, 2018, to share stories, relive memories and celebrate Tom's life.  If you would like to send flowers or a card, please provide them to the church no later than 9:00am on Friday, October 12th and indicate that they are for the funeral of Tom Hasley.  In lieu of flowers, you may also provide a research donation, in the memory of Tom Hasley, to find a cure for colorectal cancer through Give.FightCRC.org or to Fight Colorectal Cancer, 134 Park Central Square, Suite 210, Springfield, MO 65806.

We treasure the fact that we have had the honor to love this brave and incredibly phenomenal man.  Although we miss him more than words can convey, it gives us great solace to know that he is at peace and no longer in pain.   Hubby, Daddy & Poppie …“WE Love YOU more!”

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