Thomas G. Moles
SARASOTA - Thomas G. Moles, 81, of Sarasota, Florida, passed away suddenly from a cerebral hemorrhage on August 31, 2023.
Born April 17, 1942, to Veronica Meighan and John Michael Moles in Cresskill, New Jersey, Tom was the youngest of nine children. He was predeceased by his parents; his brothers: Robert, John, Joseph, William, Charles, and Francis; and his sister, Veronica.
He is survived by his wife, Polly Peck Moles of Sarasota, Florida; his daughter, Anne Moles Mulick of Hailey, Idaho; his son, Thomas “Scooter” Seaver Moles (Jenny) of Darien, Connecticut, his sister S. Ann Moles, SSND; and his five grandchildren: Grace, William, Meaghan, Maeve, and Thomas “Chip.”
Tom graduated from St. Cecilia's High School in Englewood, New Jersey, where he started his football journey. He was awarded his team captaincy by Vince Lombardi, a former coach at St. Cecilia's, which was a great honor to him. He excelled as both an offensive and a defensive tackle and received a full scholarship to Wagner College on Staten Island, New York. He was the first person in his family to go to college.
Tom was a part of the 1964 undefeated Wagner Seahawk football team and was ultimately inducted into the Wagner College Athletics Hall of Fame in 2016.
At Wagner, Tom majored in education with a minor in art and was a part of the Delta Nu fraternity. More significantly, Wagner was where he met his wife of 55 years, Polly Peck.
In 1967, the Vietnam War was underway and Tom was drafted by the United States Army, the New York Jets, and the Miami Dolphins. Tom was a patriot who knew his duty as an American. He turned down all three, instead enlisting in the United States Marine Corps. Tom and Polly eloped prior to his tour in Vietnam. He was a Recon Marine and survived the Battle of Khe Sahn.
Upon returning home from the war he began his 35-year career on Wall Street with Marine Midland Bank in New York City and ended it as a Senior Managing Director/Portfolio Manager of Fixed Income with J&W Seligman.
After a 30-year residency in East Windsor, New Jersey, Tom and Polly fulfilled their dream of living on the water in Sarasota, Florida. Together they enjoyed retirement and being members of The Oaks Club. Tom loved woodworking, traveling, and playing golf. Perhaps he was happiest of all when sharing a cup of coffee and the New York Times crossword puzzle with his beloved Polly. He was also a philanthropist and is a Trustee Emeritus at Wagner College.
Tom was an extraordinary titan of a man who adored his family with his whole heart. He was honorable, intelligent, and funny, the epitome of a good guy.
Oorah Big T!
Donations in Tom's memory can be made to Tunnel to Towers Foundation, www.t2t.org. A military service burial and celebration of life will be held in Sarasota, Florida, April 2024.