Obituary for Thomas Joseph Cevasco
Thomas Joseph Cevasco, of Easton, PA, passed away peacefully on Thursday, May 25, 2023 at St. Luke’s Hospice House at the age of 69.
Tom was born in Hackensack, New Jersey on September 14, 1953 to the late Edward James, Sr. and Josephine Del Guidice Cevasco.
Tom spent the majority of his early years growing up in Sea Cliff, New York on the North Shore of Long Island along with his many aunts, uncles and cousins; the benefits of a large Italian family. Summer family vacations and reunions were spent in lodges and cabins in the mountains and lakes of upstate NY. It was always family first and that was the way Tom lived his entire life.
Following elementary school, the family relocated to Bucks County, PA. residing in New Britain. Tom attended Unami Junior High and then Central Bucks West High School where he played football for 3 years under the legendary Coach, Mike Pettine; Tom graduated in the class of 1971 and went on to Bucks County Community College, Newtown, PA. He graduated in 1973 with an Associates of Arts Degree, in Police and Correctional Administration. Earning many certificates and commendations for law enforcement, Tom also graduated from the PA Deputy Sheriff’s training program at Dickinson School of Law in Carlisle, PA. Always staying current, over the years he completed numerous certifications through continuing education programs in Criminal Justice from Temple University.
Law enforcement was a family affair. Following in the footsteps of his older brother, and father, Tom began his decades long career in law enforcement in 1973. As a police officer, he served in the police departments of New Britain Borough, Chalfont Borough, Warwick Township and then as a Deputy Sheriff in the Bucks County Sheriff’s Department taking on various assignments as he advanced through the department. For 5 years, he worked as a Paralegal and training officer for the Bucks County Public Defender’s office and the Bucks County Correctional Facility as a hearing officer while enforcing the codes and rules of the department.
Tom moved on to Doylestown Hospital as a security and safety officer and served as a liaison between security and administration. In 2015, he joined the Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission. Here he applied his broad training and experience protecting the public and serving the State Police of both New Jersey and PA. He retired after 7 years at the Commission, not by choice, but for health reasons. He always stayed true to his passion watching every episode of NCIS, NYPD, Miami Vice, etc. on repeat.
Tom was very proud to be a retired lifetime law enforcement member of the Fraternal Order of Police, Lodge 53, Wycombe, PA.
Outside of work, Tom enjoyed gathering with family and friends; simple barbeques, summer weekends by the pool, family trips to the Outer Banks and countless celebrations for birthdays, and of course the traditional holiday feasts—the Italian way. He had “mastered” several family recipes which became his annual contribution to these meals. Every September, you could find Tom traveling to Mulberry Street in New York’s Little Italy for the Feast of San Gennaro, the Patron Saint of Naples, a highlight of the year; great food, fun times and many memories.
Tom was passionate about bowling and played on multiple leagues over the years, proudly winning numerous tournaments with a great group of his friends. All his life he loved fast cars and trucks and owned his share over his lifetime.
He lived a simple life and gave unselfishly of himself to those in need. He left this life as he lived it, with dignity and respect and a love of God and family.
In addition to his sister, Helene Cevasco Mathern and her husband, Gary of Doylestown, he is survived by his beloved nieces Jennifer J. Thome, Heather A. Cevasco (John Platek) of Doylestown, and Allison Mathern (Doug Bloom) of Flourtown. And most importantly, the light of his life, his grand-niece, Sofia Josephine. She meant the world to him. To her, he was and will always remain, her Uncle Nino. In addition to his parents, Tom was preceded in death by his older brother, Edward J. Cevasco, Jr.
For all of those whose lives Tom touched, you are invited to his memorial service at 11AM on Wednesday June 28th at Shelly Funeral Home, Easton and Keller’s Church Rds., Plumsteadville, PA. Family will greet guests from 9 AM until time of service.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Tom’s name to the Lenape Valley Foundation and direct it to the Crisis Intervention Training/CIT program. Tom was passionate about this program which trains law enforcement officers across Bucks County how to interact with those struggling with mental health episodes.
Donations may be mailed to: Lenape Valley Foundation, 621 N. Shady Retreat Rd., Doylestown, PA 18901 or made online at: www.lenapevf.org Attn: Jessica Bollard.
Tom was born in Hackensack, New Jersey on September 14, 1953 to the late Edward James, Sr. and Josephine Del Guidice Cevasco.
Tom spent the majority of his early years growing up in Sea Cliff, New York on the North Shore of Long Island along with his many aunts, uncles and cousins; the benefits of a large Italian family. Summer family vacations and reunions were spent in lodges and cabins in the mountains and lakes of upstate NY. It was always family first and that was the way Tom lived his entire life.
Following elementary school, the family relocated to Bucks County, PA. residing in New Britain. Tom attended Unami Junior High and then Central Bucks West High School where he played football for 3 years under the legendary Coach, Mike Pettine; Tom graduated in the class of 1971 and went on to Bucks County Community College, Newtown, PA. He graduated in 1973 with an Associates of Arts Degree, in Police and Correctional Administration. Earning many certificates and commendations for law enforcement, Tom also graduated from the PA Deputy Sheriff’s training program at Dickinson School of Law in Carlisle, PA. Always staying current, over the years he completed numerous certifications through continuing education programs in Criminal Justice from Temple University.
Law enforcement was a family affair. Following in the footsteps of his older brother, and father, Tom began his decades long career in law enforcement in 1973. As a police officer, he served in the police departments of New Britain Borough, Chalfont Borough, Warwick Township and then as a Deputy Sheriff in the Bucks County Sheriff’s Department taking on various assignments as he advanced through the department. For 5 years, he worked as a Paralegal and training officer for the Bucks County Public Defender’s office and the Bucks County Correctional Facility as a hearing officer while enforcing the codes and rules of the department.
Tom moved on to Doylestown Hospital as a security and safety officer and served as a liaison between security and administration. In 2015, he joined the Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission. Here he applied his broad training and experience protecting the public and serving the State Police of both New Jersey and PA. He retired after 7 years at the Commission, not by choice, but for health reasons. He always stayed true to his passion watching every episode of NCIS, NYPD, Miami Vice, etc. on repeat.
Tom was very proud to be a retired lifetime law enforcement member of the Fraternal Order of Police, Lodge 53, Wycombe, PA.
Outside of work, Tom enjoyed gathering with family and friends; simple barbeques, summer weekends by the pool, family trips to the Outer Banks and countless celebrations for birthdays, and of course the traditional holiday feasts—the Italian way. He had “mastered” several family recipes which became his annual contribution to these meals. Every September, you could find Tom traveling to Mulberry Street in New York’s Little Italy for the Feast of San Gennaro, the Patron Saint of Naples, a highlight of the year; great food, fun times and many memories.
Tom was passionate about bowling and played on multiple leagues over the years, proudly winning numerous tournaments with a great group of his friends. All his life he loved fast cars and trucks and owned his share over his lifetime.
He lived a simple life and gave unselfishly of himself to those in need. He left this life as he lived it, with dignity and respect and a love of God and family.
In addition to his sister, Helene Cevasco Mathern and her husband, Gary of Doylestown, he is survived by his beloved nieces Jennifer J. Thome, Heather A. Cevasco (John Platek) of Doylestown, and Allison Mathern (Doug Bloom) of Flourtown. And most importantly, the light of his life, his grand-niece, Sofia Josephine. She meant the world to him. To her, he was and will always remain, her Uncle Nino. In addition to his parents, Tom was preceded in death by his older brother, Edward J. Cevasco, Jr.
For all of those whose lives Tom touched, you are invited to his memorial service at 11AM on Wednesday June 28th at Shelly Funeral Home, Easton and Keller’s Church Rds., Plumsteadville, PA. Family will greet guests from 9 AM until time of service.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Tom’s name to the Lenape Valley Foundation and direct it to the Crisis Intervention Training/CIT program. Tom was passionate about this program which trains law enforcement officers across Bucks County how to interact with those struggling with mental health episodes.
Donations may be mailed to: Lenape Valley Foundation, 621 N. Shady Retreat Rd., Doylestown, PA 18901 or made online at: www.lenapevf.org Attn: Jessica Bollard.