A funeral mass was offered Aug. 3 at St. Joseph’s Church, Keyport, for Thomas P. Scheider, Jr., Lieutenant, Ret. JCPD. He passed away July 30 with his family at his side. Born in Jersey City, Thomas was a lifelong resident until moving to Cliffwood Beach in 1991. He served his country as lance corporal in the United State Marine Corps from 1959 to 1965. After his military service, Thomas worked briefly for the New York Central Railroad Police. He then joined the Jersey City Police Department and began a police career from 1967 to 2000.
During his watch, which was entirely in the patrol division, he was commander of the Bus Detail, the Quality of Life Unit, Patrol Sergeant and Desk Lieutenant in each of the four districts, but had a special affinity for the South District. Of his thirty three years of honorable service, his last six were spent as commander of the Motorcycle Squad and he had honor of having been the last of the Mounted Squad.
Thomas held the post of Head Trustee of Keyport American Legion Post 23 for the last seven years. He was a member of the Keyport Veterans of Foreign Wars, Marine Corps League Avenel Detachment as well as the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 4.
Thomas was an avid fisherman and captain of the Deutsche Raven. Among his many hobbies were playing the trumpet and keyboard, both self taught. He was lead usher and Eucharistic Minister of St. Joseph’s Church, Keyport, New Jersey and a friend and confidant to young and old alike, who sought him out for advice on many subjects from legal problems, to boats and cars, even advice on how to build a squirrel feeder in snowy winters.
Thomas is survived by his wife Mary E. Scheider (nee: Casey); father of Thomas P. and Keri Scheider, Diana Lynn Brandon and Robyn Scheider; grandfather of Marcus and Alexis Brandon and Elissa Scheider, uncle of Mark J. Scheider and Melissa Lisanti, Nicole and Malcolm Gilchrist, Geoffrey and Jeanine Gilchrist, Denice and Joseph Mercandante, Mary Alice Casey, Jeanette and David Erla, Richard Casey Jr., Carolyn Casey and Bridget LaPone, Patricia and Frank Tosi, Joanni Casey, Jessica and Danielle Romano; brother in law of Susan Turi and Richard and Alice Casey; also survived by many grand nieces and nephews; Thomas was predeceased by his parents Dorothy and Thomas Scheider, sister, Patricia Farley and brother Allan Scheider. Services arranged by the McLaughlin Funeral Home, Jersey City.