Thomas John Kateeshock
August 12, 1946 – February 26, 2025
Thomas J. Kateeshock, 78, of Sandy Hook, Virginia, passed away on Wednesday, February 26, 2025, at home, surrounded by his family.
Tom was born in Irvington, NJ and attended the New Jersey Institute of Technology where he earned a master’s degree in chemical engineering. He worked for many years as a control systems instrument engineer, and later in life he taught math at several colleges in northern New Jersey. He was a devoted family man, who loved his wife, daughters, and grandchildren above all else. He also enjoyed baseball, jazz, and good jokes, especially his own.
Tom is predeceased by his parents, Paul and Helen Kateeshock; and his daughter, Jacqueline Roche. He is survived by his wife Jean, daughter Sandra Stern (Ken), and grandchildren Samantha and Cassidy Stern and Brianna and Ryan Roche.
The family will receive friends from 4 to 6 pm on Monday, March 3, 2025 at Lacy Funeral Home, 6241 Cross County Rd., Mineral, VA 23117. A funeral will be held at 1pm on Tuesday, March 4, 2025 at Providence Presbyterian Church, 3388 Three Chopt Rd., Gum Spring, VA 23065. The family will gather afterward for the internment at Spring Grove Memorial Park Cemetery, 1-573 Bridge Rd., Mineral, VA 23117.
What a privilege & joy it has been to get to know Tom over the past several years. Through gatherings at Providence Presbyterian Church, we would share knowledge, stories, memories. & dry humor.. I met an intelligent fellow with a quick wit & a heart as big as the ocean, who was always ready to reach out to those in need. Sharing conversations with Tom & Jean was always a treat, & seeing his love & dedication to family & friends was an inspiration. We will miss you my friend😥
Tom and I both graduated from NJIT with Bachelor’s Degrees in 1968, though we did not know each other in school. We had similar backgrounds, and both began our post college employment with Humble Oil at the Bayway Refinery in Linden New Jersey. And we only lived about two miles apart. We became close friends until I moved away to Vermont and the physical distance separated us. I was Godfather to his now deceased daughter, jJcqueline. i am pleased we had a reunion after many years in 2024 About our only difference, which was a friendly one, was that Tom was a Yankee fan, while I supported the Red Sox.
Dear Jeannie and Sandy, We are so very sorry for your loss and are sending much love and prayers for peace and comfort.
The Mpyle family