Obituary of Thomas Antus

Thomas E. Antus, 67, of Jackson passed away on Monday, May 2, 2016 at Jersey Shore University Medical Center, Neptune. Tom was born in Latrobe, PA, and moved to Freehold Township in 1970 where he lived before moving here three years ago. A graduate of Slippery Rock University, Tom began his career as a history teacher at the Dwight D. Eisenhower School where he spent 12 years teaching social studies, and ran the township's summer camp. In 1984, Tom was tapped to become assistant superintendent of Freehold Township Parks and Recreation program. He spent four years in the department managing the recreation programs which afforded him the opportunity to learn the recreation needs of the community. He noticed for example soccer's growing popularity in the township. This information would prove invaluable in Tom's career in administration. In 1988, he was called into the office of then Township Administrator Fred Jahn, who was the municipality's first administrator. Tom was taken by surprise when Fred asked him if he had any interest in becoming deputy administrator. When Fred Jahn retired in 1994 after 25 years of service, Tom was tapped to step up to the administrator post, a position he held with distinction until his retirement of April 2011. While Tom served as Township Administrator, he oversaw the development of Opatut Park and the construction of the Freehold Township Senior Center. After his retirement from Freehold Township, he served for a short time as the Administrator in Millstone and Colts Neck Townships. An avid bowler, Tom was also a member of the United States Bowling Conference and was in several leagues at Howell Lanes. He was extremely proud of rolling a 300 game and 800 series. Tom was a loyal fan of both the Pittsburgh Steelers and North Carolina Tar Heels, as well as a former director of the Western Monmouth YMCA. He also coached for numerous youth sports teams in the area. Surviving are his fiancée, Wendy Cascaes Hickson; one daughter, Casey C. Rizzo and her husband, Andrew of Howell; his two sons, Christopher K. Antus and his wife, Megan of Midland, TX and Thomas J. Antus and his wife, Anjuli of Verona; his sister, Mary Kay Antus of Latrobe, PA; his brother, James Antus and his wife, Eileen of Chesapeake, VA; one niece, Madison Antus; his grandson, Ryan Rizzo. We can also not forget he is survived by his and Wendy's four legged friend, Abbie. Visitation will be held at Clayton & McGirr Funeral Home, 100 Elton-Adelphia Road (Route 524), Freehold Township on Sunday, May 8, 2016 from 2:00 to 6:00 PM. Relatives and friends are invited to attend his 10:00 AM Funeral Mass on Monday, May 9, 2016 at St. Robert Bellarmine Catholic Church, 61 Georgia Road, Freehold Township. Interment will be private. For information, directions or condolence messages to the family, visit www.claytonfuneralhome.com