Thomas Joseph Sundy passed away on July 8, 2025, after a nine month battle with cancer. He was born in Erie, Pennsylvania, on January 24, 1948, to Benedict and Frances Sundy. The second of five children, Thomas grew up alongside his siblings Robert, David (married to Sandra, with children Marc and Eric), Suzanne, and Janet (married to Andrew, with children Paige, Colin, and Aidan). As a boy, he was an altar server at St. Casimir’s Church. As a teen, together with his brothers, he proudly achieved the rank of Eagle Scout in 1964.

He graduated from Cathedral Preparatory School in 1965. During his time at Gannon College, Thomas was a member of the National Society of Pershing Rifles and worked as a teaching assistant in the Physics Department. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Physics in 1969. His first job out of college was teaching high school physics in the Philadelphia area. After a few years of teaching, he moved to New Jersey, where he met Anna. The two quickly became inseparable and in October 1975, they married, beginning a lifelong journey as best friends and parents. They built a marriage rooted deeply in love and respect that would last 50 years. During this time, Thomas pursued graduate studies at the New Jersey Institute of Technology, earning a Master of Science in Management Engineering. He went on to build a long career in industrial and manufacturing engineering, working for companies such as Rand McNally, Rowe International and Magnetic Ticket & label.

After purchasing their first house in Union the couple welcomed their first child, Jonathan, followed a few years later by their daughter, Halina. Thomas was a kind, loving, and active father. From scouting trips to soccer games, he passed on to them his deep appreciation for the outdoors and nature. He volunteered countless hours with both Jonathan and Halina’s scout troops, and for many years he coached and refereed youth soccer. He also shared his love of science, often helping with homework, school projects and activities, encouraging curiosity and learning at every opportunity. After sending both kids off to college, Thomas pursued his dream career in computer programming, which led to the family’s move to Maryland. This new chapter also gave him more time to stay active. He loved hiking the local trails and became a regular participant in the annual Kosciuszko Freedom Run 5K, hosted by the Polish Embassy.

When Jonathan and his wife Rachel welcomed sons Holden (2019) and Quentin (2022), Thomas proudly became a grandfather, taking up the title of Dziadzia, like his father before him. He embraced the role wholeheartedly, enjoying ferrying the boys to and from school while discussing everything under the sun. With joy, he passed along knowledge, curiosity and a healthy portion of dad jokes. On the first Saturday of every month he would take Holden to Home Depot to build his first projects with a hammer and screwdriver; just as he once taught his son.

After retiring from federal service in 2021, he happily traded carrying his briefcase for cultivating fig trees and even more time to share the wonders of the world with his grandchildren. Holden often reminded everyone of Dziadzia’s wisdom, saying “ask Dziadzia” whenever Jonathan didn’t know the answer to a question. Above all, Thomas was a devoted husband, a caring father, and an enthusiastic grandfather.

He leaves behind a legacy of love for family, curiosity for knowledge, and appreciation for nature. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him, but his kindness and wisdom will live on.

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