Thomas John Havey

Thomas John Havey was born in West Philadelphia on September 23, 1936 to Leona Violet (Krueger) Havey and Richard Havey. On June 23, 2023, he died peacefully in his Asheville, North Carolina home. Tom had one older brother, Richard White Havey, who preceded him in death. Thomas, known to his many relatives as Tommy, lived with his paternal grandmother, parents and two aunts during the Second World War.

Tom grew up in Philadelphia and then moved to Maple Shade, New Jersey during his senior year but chose to graduate from his Philadelphia high school. Since the time he was 5-years-old, Tom always had a job either delivering newspapers or selling song sheets on the street corner. An avid athlete, Tom played football for his high school and township. Immediately after graduating from West Philadelphia High School in 1956, he enlisted in the United States army where he was stationed in Japan as a manual morse intercept operator. During this time he attended the University of Maryland, Far East Division. Tom joined the National Guard through the 1950s and 60s. While on a rest from the Army, Tom attended a Billy Graham Crusade and gave his life to Christ, changing him forever as a committed Christian. After his service in the Army, he worked various jobs in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and California.

While attending classes at Temple University night school, Tom met Sandra Goldstein (who passed away in 2020) and they were married on July 11, 1964. Thomas and Sandra moved to Mount Laurel, New Jersey where the two were highly involved in the Mount Laurel Jaycees; Tom served as president of the Jaycees for many years. From 1970-1978, Tom owned several race horses that ran at various race tracks on the East coast.

The couple started a family while staying active in their community through church, pinochle, Bible studies and schools. After a few years as a salesperson working for Mrs. Paul’s Kitchen, Tom started his career for New Jersey Bell Telephone Company in the marketing department. While living in Mount Laurel for most of his adult life, Tom attended Easton Union Church and Fellowship Alliance Chapel where he was active in many Bible studies, Sage Group, singles groups and various service projects. One sport that Tom started late in life and continued into his 80s is snow skiing. Tom skied a few times in his youth; however, he became an avid downhill snow skier when his children started skiing in their teenage years. To spend intentional time with his children, Tom worked hard making snow skiing a family sport which became the focus of many family vacations.

In 1998, Tom retired from the telephone company and enjoyed traveling to see his children and grandchildren all over the world and the United States. His interests included day trading, Scripture and biblical topics, exercise and socializing. Tom taught each of his grandchildren to play Pinochle which they enjoyed for hours. Many people enjoyed Tom’s quick wit and sense of humor; he carried around with him an attitude of contentment, peace and an easy going spirit.

In 2021, he relocated to Asheville, North Carolina to live near one of his daughters, Rebecca, and her family. Tom remained active in pinochle groups, exercise classes at the YMCA, Connect group and Biltmore Church. Tom’s greatest joy came from spending time with his family. When asked to name one thing in particular he would like to pass down from one generation to another, he said, “To exhibit our Lord’s great Love.”

Thomas is survived by his daughter, Pamela Havey Lau (Brad Lau) of Newberg, Oregon; Son, Daniel Goldstein of Jerusalem, Israel, and daughter, Rebecca Elizabeth McDowell (Steve McDowell) of Asheville, North Carolina. He is also survived by his six grandchildren: Michaela Brynn Lau Semple (Joshua R. Stonaski Semple) of Loma Linda, California, Annalise Havey Lau of Salem, Oregon, Gabrielle Elizabeth Lau of Spokane, Washington, Parker Lawrence Pulliam of Asheville, North Carolina and Ava Elizabeth Pulliam of Asheville, North Carolina and Max Markus McDowell of Asheville, North Carolina. Cousins surviving Tom are Margaret Schaefer of Maple Shade, New Jersey, Chloe Webb of Little Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey and Jill Godwin of Maple Shade, New Jersey.

A service and memorial of Tom’s life was held on Saturday, July 8, 2023 at 3:00 PM at Groce Funeral Home at Lake Julian 72 Long Shoals Road, Arden, North Carolina. To view the recorded service, please click the link just below the obituary text. His family received friends at the funeral home on Saturday from 2:00 PM until 3:00 PM. Burial at Calvary Churchyard was private.

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