SUNSET BEACH — Thomas Joseph “Tom,” “Tommy” Gaven Jr., 62, arrived at the pristine beaches of heaven Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2021, surrounded by his family and the peaceful sound of ocean waves.
He was a devoted husband and soulmate for over 40 years to Maria Helena Knapik of Livingston, New Jersey, and together, they raised their children, Julie Marie (Ash), Marissa Eve and Gregory Thomas in Northern Virginia.
Born June 11, 1958, in Newark, New Jersey, he was the eldest son of Thomas Joseph Gaven Sr. and Doris Ann Delsandro. He was the best big brother to Edward (Janet), Robert, aka “Big B,” and Anne Marie Hughes (Joseph). His extended family of over 150 aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins will fondly remember his ever-present smile and kind, loving disposition.
Tom graduated from NJIT in 1980, and was an active lifelong member of the Sigma Pi Fraternity. He worked for Intel in California and later started his own computer programming company. One of his favorite pastimes was skiing at Lake Tahoe. In 2014, he and Maria relocated to Sunset Beach, their favorite vacation spot for over 30 years. He continued to work from home as a programmer with the IRS until retiring in 2020. He served with the Knights of Columbus for many years and enjoyed singing in St. Brendan’s choir, as well as tutoring students in math, computer science and robotics.
Tom was an avid beach enthusiast who enjoyed walking, biking, birdwatching, kayaking, fishing and occasionally golfing. He took his family on many international vacations, including several wonderful trips to visit extended family in Poland. He leaves behind a legacy of love for his family and friends.
Memorial services will be held at 10 a.m., Friday, March 5, at Saint Brendan’s Catholic Church, Shallotte. The service will also be livestreamed via Facebook. Please go to the Facebook page of White Funeral and Cremation Service, Shallotte and “like” our page. The service will begin promptly 10 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to the Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center, Duke University Medical Center, DUMC Box 3624, Durham, NC 27710; and Lower Cape Fear Hospice, Lower Cape Fear LifeCare, 1414 Physicians Drive, Wilmington, NC 28401.
Share online condolences with the family at White Funeral and Cremation Service.
