Obituary of Thomas E. Laquitara

Thomas E. Laquitara, 72, of Bridgeton passed away at his home on Friday, May 7, 2021 under the care of hospice and his family. Born in Philadelphia, PA to the late Peter E. Laquitara and Amelia Perri Laquitara-Smith, he was the husband of Mabel Sloan Laquitara. Thomas had been a resident of Bridgeton for the past 11 years and prior to that he had resided in Philadelphia, Gibbsboro, Landisville, and Millville. Before his retirement, he had owned and operated Tom and Mabel's Greenwich Country Store from 1998 to 2013 with his wife, Mabel. Thomas had been previously employed as a Schwan's Delivery Driver, a dietary aide at the former Newcomb Hospital in Vineland, a security supervisor at the Salem Nuclear Power Plant. He had also worked for the Millville rescue squad, Bridgeton Public Schools and several area car dealerships including; Fisher Elkins Car Dealership and his brother Pete's dealership, Delsea Chrysler Plymouth Dodge in Vineland. Thomas had also owned and operated his own landscaping business in a few different periods of his working life. In his free time, he loved to cook and eat Italian food, spending time with his family and friends, watching movies and enjoying the Philadelphia Eagles and Phillies. His family described him as a Handy Man who was always taking on new projects with family and friends. He was a member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Millville, West Cumberland Ruritan Club, the American Legion Nabb-Leslie Post 82. In his younger years, he had served as a Cub Scout Leader for about seven years. Thomas was also a graduate of Eastern Regional High School class of 1967 and veteran of the United States Coast Guard serving from 1967 to 1971. He is survived by; his wife, Mabel Sloan Laquitara of Bridgeton; his children, Thomas Laquitara, Jr. (Lori) of Voorhees Twp., Christopher Laquitara (Christi) of Connecticut, Joseph Laquitara (Michelle) of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, Steven Kohansky (Maria) of Millville, David Bostwick (Nicole) of Greenwich and Andrea Lucas (Matthew) of Bridgeton; three brothers, Frank Laquitara of Berlin, Peter Laquitara of Ventnor and Angelo Laquitara of Brigantine, his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Donald and Helen Sloan of Bridgeton; 13 grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, and other family members and friends. He was preceded in death by; his brother, Vincent “Jimmy” Laquitara and two nephews, Peter Laquitara and Paul Laquitara. Memorial services will be held at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, 301 N 3rd St, Millville, NJ 08332, on Thursday, May 13th at 12 Noon. Friends will be received at the church from 11 AM to 12 Noon prior to the services. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations in Thomas's name be made to St. Paul's Lutheran Church, 301 N. 3rd St, Millville, NJ 08332 or to the BAYADA Foundation, 4300 Haddonfield Rd., Pennsauken, NJ 08109 who were integral in his care at the end of his life. Written condolences can be sent to the family through the funeral home website at www.padgettfuneralhomes.com.