Obituary of Thomas Irving Coombs

Thomas Irving "Irv" Coombs, Jr., age 93, of Bridgeton died Friday, December 6, 2013 at Cumberland Manor in Hopewell Township. His passing was unexpected. A lifetime Bridgeton resident, he was born on August 15, 1920 to the late Thomas I. Coombs, Sr. and Ada Loatman Coombs and was the husband of the late Ernestine Pierce Coombs. A tractor-trailer driver before his retirement, he had been employed with Cross Transportation in Upper Deerfield Twp. and also with Martin Dye and Finishing Co. and Leone Industries both in Bridgeton. He also had farmed with his brother in Bridgeton in years past. Mr. Coombs was a Veteran of World War Two and had served his country in the U.S. Coast Guard. He had served as President of the Colonial Riders Motorcycle Club and was a starting driver at the South Jersey Pony Club races. He was a member of the Nanticoke Lenni Lenape Indians of New Jersey and the VFW Meade-Woodward Post 1795, Bridgeton. He leaves to cherish his memory his sister, Nellie I. Dean of Stow Creek Twp. and several nieces and nephews including Cheri Thomas of Bridgeton and her children Melissa and Michaela. In addition to his wife, he was predeceased by his brother John Coombs and two nephews, Edward Coombs and John "Jackie" Coombs. Funeral services will be held at the PADGETT FUNERAL HOME, 1107 State Highway 77, Upper Deerfield Twp. on Thursday, December 12th at 11 AM. Friends will be received from 10 to 11 AM prior to the services at the funeral home. Interment will be made at Fernwood Memorial Park in Hopewell Twp. In lieu of flowers contributions in Irv's memory can be made to the Nanticoke Lenni Lenape Indians Museum Fund, 18 East Commerce Street, Bridgeton, NJ 08302. Written condolences may be sent to the family through the funeral home website at www.padgettfuneralhomes.com