Thomas Arthur Slate Sr. of Hardyston Township, N.J., known as “Pop” to most, passed away unexpectedly at Newton Medical Center on Monday, Feb. 1, 2021, after suffering a cardiac event. He was 78.
Born in Hardyston Township to Truman Slate, Sr. and Gladys Slate, he was a lifelong resident of Hardyston.
Thomas worked for the Day Farm in Hardyston as a young man and then worked as a Foreman at Ames Rubber in Hamburg, N.J., for over 45 years retiring in 2009. Thomas was an avid bowler and bowled with the “Super Sexy Seniors” with the Sparta Bowling League. He enjoyed fishing, following NASCAR, trips to Atlantic City and Monticello for playing slots, relaxing in his chair and is best remembered as a doting grandfather and great grandfather for spending countless hours helping Emma babysit.
Thomas is predeceased by his daughter, Jacqueline Ann Slate (1989); and sisters, Trudy Slate, Nancy Frisbie and Susan Jensen.
Thomas is the beloved husband for 59 years of Emma Slate (nee Gould); devoted father of Thomas Arthur Slate Jr. and his wife, Cheryl, of Hardyston Township, and Darryl Eugene Slate and his wife, Barbara, of Barry Lakes, N.J.; loving grandfather of Sierra, Thomas III, Jacqueline, David and his wife, Nika, and Kayla and her husband, Josh; great-grandfather of Adriana, Jewels, Henry, Emilia, and Brian; dear brother of Joan Struble of Franklin, N.J., triplet brother Clyde Slate of Sussex, N.J., and triplet brother Douglas Slate of South Carolina, Donald Slate of Sussex, N.J., Darlene Miller and her husband, John, of Sparrowbush, N.Y., Truman Slate and his wife, Robin, of Hamburg, N.J., and Terrie Maness of Hardyston Township; uncle of Jackie Maness of Hardyston Township; Godfather of Ronald Pittman Jr. of North Carolina; and cherished by many nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews.
The family received their friends for a “walk through” visitation at F. John Ramsey Funeral Home, Franklin, N.J., on Feb. 7. A funeral service was at the funeral home on Feb. 8. Interment followed at North Hardyston Cemetery, Hardyston Township.