Obituary of Thomas J Mitchell

Thomas J. Mitchell, passed away peacefully on July 2, 2025, at the age of 94.

Born in Kearny, New Jersey, to the late John and Rosalie Mitchell, Thomas - affectionately known as “Red” - was raised with strong values of service, family, and hard work. After graduating high school, he proudly enlisted in the United States Army, serving in France and Germany during the Korean Conflict.

After meeting the love of his life, Margaret Hasselwander, Tom left the Army and the two were married in October of 1956. They lived in Kearny before moving to Lake Hiawatha in 1964, where they raised their family and lived for 60 years.

Tom was a hard worker and a devoted family man. He worked for over twenty years at the Wilbur B. Driver Foundry Company in Newark, rising to the position of foreman. After that, he worked many years at Transistor Devices in Cedar Knolls before retiring at age 70.

A man of strength and faith, Red was an active parishioner of St. Peter the Apostle R.C. Church in Parsippany. He was among the oldest living members of the American Legion, Lake Hiawatha Post 249 where he enjoyed the camaraderie of his fellow veterans. His favorite vacation spot was Cape May where he enjoyed yearly vacations with his wife, children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.

Thomas was predeceased by his beloved wife, Margaret, and his siblings John Mitchell and Rose Niedzinski. He loved his four children, Rose Barreto (Anthony), Nancy Clark (Greg), Colleen Kloss (Phil) and Thomas Mitchell (Karen); nine grandchildren Christine Dimovski, Heather Biringer, Kim Myers, Brian Mitchell, Chelsea Barreto, Kaitlin Mitchell, Kevin Mitchell, Joseph Kloss, and Julia Kloss; and three great grandchildren Tucker, Daphne, and Reagan. He leaves behind his dear sister, Marie Lynch, his brother-in-law, John Hasselwander (Edna), and many cherished relatives and friends.

Visiting hours will be held at the S.J. Priola Parsippany Funeral Service, 60 North Beverwyck Road, Lake Hiawatha, NJ, on Sunday, July 6th, from 2–4 PM and 7–9 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, July 7th at 1:30 PM at St. Peter the Apostle Parish, Parsippany. Interment to follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, East Hanover.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory may be made to the good work of the Alliance for Lupus Research.