Thomas Nelson

Thomas Robert Nelson, beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend, passed away peacefully at home on September 2, 2026, after a long illness. He was 82 years old.

Tom lived a life defined by devotion to his family, a strong work ethic, a love of sports, and a genuine appreciation for the people around him.

An avid sports fan. Tom especially loved watching his grandchildren compete. He traveled countless miles, by car and by plane, to be there in stands or on the sidelines, cheering them on and proudly supporting them through the years. His grandchildren always knew they had their biggest fan in the crowd.

Tom’s own love of sports began at an early age. He played hockey throughout his school years and continued playing in the minor leagues as a young adult. His competitive spirit and love of the game remained with him throughout his life.

Golf also held a special place in Tom’s heart. He loved the game for its challenge, camaraderie, and quiet competition. He was especially known for his touch around the greens. Whether chipping close, reading a tricky putt, or saving a hole with his steady short game, Tom played with focus, patience, and skill. Some of his favorite memories were made on the golf course, sharing rounds with his brothers, friends, daughters and their husbands, and his grandchildren, and a few rounds with Bonnie too. For Tom, the most important part of the game was the people. Of course, a low score didn’t hurt.

Tom built a long and successful career in retail banking. He began at Sears in the 1960’s as a collector and worked his way through the organization, ultimately running a regional credit center. He later joined Macy’s Credit and then finally TD Bank, where he retired as President of Retail Banking and COO of the bank. Tom was proud of the career he built, but even more meaningful to him were the lifelong friendships he made along the way. Many of those relationships endured for decades.

After retirement, Tom enjoyed traveling, spending time with family and friends, preferably gathered around a table with good food, a glass of wine and music, always music.

Tom and his beloved wife, Bonnie (McLaughlin) Nelson, shared 61 wonderful years of marriage. They spent more than 30 years making their home in St James, New York and then Kinnelon, New Jersey where they raised their daughters, built lifelong friendships and created so many of the memories that defined their family. In their later years, they began a new chapter together in Cape Charles, Virginia, a small town on Virginia’s Eastern Shore along the Chesapeake Bay. There, they found a community and a life they loved, filled with friends, golf, beautiful sunsets, good meals, and of course, plenty of conversation. Through every chapter and every place they called home, Tom and Bonnie built a life filled with love, family, friendship, adventure, laughter, and countless memories.

Tom is survived by his devoted wife, Bonnie; his daughters, Jennifer (Dan) Lafond and Erica Grippo; and his five grandsons, Jack Lafond, Eric Lafond, Joseph Grippo, Thomas Grippo, and Brady Grippo. He is also survived by many extended family members and dear friends, who will miss his kindness, generosity, sense of humor, gift for conversation, unwavering love for his family- and, yes, even those bad dad jokes.

He is predeceased by his son-in-law, Joe Grippo, his parents, Ethel and Clarence Nelson, his brothers, Curt and Roger Nelson, and many other loved ones who passed before him.

Tom leaves behind a lifetime of memories and a family who will carry on his love, humor, stories, and spirit with them. His gift for making people feel welcome, his genuine interest in everyone he met, and turning a stranger into a friend, will be remembered by so many.

And so, Heaven has received a lifelong New York – Rangers, Yankees and Giants fan. We know Tom has found the best seat in the house from above and he will continue to cheer loudly and proudly for his grandchildren in sports, and in their lives and watch over Bonnie, Jen and Erica as they enjoy adventures that are to come.

We believe that somewhere along the way, he has already struck up a conversation with someone new, told a terrible joke, and made another friend.

Rest peacefully, Tom. You were deeply loved. Your legacy lives on in the family you adored, the friendships you nurtured, the laughter you created, and the countless lives you touched. You are missed beyond words and will be remembered always.

A Mass will be conducted Saturday, September 12, 2026, at 11:00AM at St. Charles Catholic Church with Father Michael Imperial officiating. A celebration of life service will be held Friday, September 25, 2026, from 11:00am to 3:00PM at the Grippo Family Home, 835 West Shore Drive Kinnelon, NJ 07405. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Healing Through Hope, The Joseph S. Grippo Memorial Foundation supports children whose lives are impacted by cancer https://grippofoundation.org/to-donate.

Online condolences may be made at www.doughtyfuneralhome.com.

Arrangements were made by Doughty Funeral Home in Exmore, Virginia.