Obituary of Thomas Patrick Gatens, Jr.
Thomas P. Gatens, Jr.
Age: 71 * Piscataway
Piscataway NJ – Thomas Patrick Gatens passed away on December 30, 2022, surrounded by loved ones at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick.
Born in Paterson to the late Thomas Patrick Sr. and Lillian (Petersen) Gatens, Tom grew up in Westfield and Scotch Plains and settled in Piscataway in 1980. He attended Union County College in Cranford, NJ. Tom started his Information Technology career with Schering Plough Pharmaceuticals, where he worked many years as a computer programmer; during this time he travelled extensively around the world installing computer systems. He also worked many years for James Thompson Company in Manhattan, NYC handling their computer systems. He also worked for Stryker Medical Equipment in Mahwah, NJ. From there he started his own LLC as an independent contractor for various companies’ computer programming and IT needs.
Tom loved bowling and enjoyed time spent in many leagues throughout the years. Tom was a passionate music lover and musician and played guitar, mostly in the classic rock and jazz genres. Early in his working life, Tom was a guitar teacher for many years at Hy-way Music in East Brunswick, NJ. One of his biggest passions in life was home improvement and design as a self-taught carpenter. He started out as a “weekend warrior” and throughout the years became a skilled artisan and carpenter. He took great pride in buying and revitalizing a multi-family house, built in the late 1700s, to what it is today; a beautiful piece of history in Piscataway. He was also involved with the design, building and additions made to the family’s residence, also in Piscataway.
Tom leaves behind two sons; Daniel and partner Nicolette of Union NJ, Michael and fiancé Dana of Toms River, his two grandchildren Julian and Joelle Gatens, three brothers; Richard and wife Patricia, John and wife Paula, and Dave and wife Jude. He will be dearly missed by his life- long friend and companion, former wife of 30 years and mother to their children, Donna Gatens also of Piscataway.
Visitation will be at Piscataway Funeral Home, 18 Stelton Rd, Piscataway NJ 08854 on Saturday January 7, 2023, 2:00pm - 5:00pm. A concluding service and eulogies will be held at 4:30pm. On Monday, January 9, 2023, family and friends are invited to gather at the funeral mass at Our Lady of Fatima RC Church in Piscataway at 10:30am. At the request of the family, cremation will be held privately.
Although flowers are welcome, memorial donations in Tom’s name may be sent to: · Habitat for Humanity - https://www.habitat.org/support · MusicLink - https://www.musiclinkfoundation.org