Thomas F. Ahearn

Mr. Thomas F. Ahearn of Bergenfield, NJ died at age 90 on August 5, 2023.
Tom was predeceased by his wife of 48 years, Mary Anne; his two daughters, Judy Marie of Yonkers, NY, and Eileen Ahearn Nogrady of Littleton, CO; his parents, Thomas and Helen Ahearn of North Tarrytown, NY; and his brother, Robert of New Rochelle, NY.
He is survived by his children: Thomas J. and his wife, Maryanne of Bergenfield; Michael of Arlington, TX; Kathleen Ahearn-O’Brien of Montclair, NJ; Laurie and her husband, Mark Euler of Bergenfield; Jennifer and her husband, Michael Murray of Old Tappan, NJ; Terence, also of Bergenfield; and a son-in-law, Michael Nogrady, of Littleton, CO. He is also survived by seven grandchildren: Alyssa, Matthew, and Patrick Ahearn; Sean and Katherine Nogrady; Riley O’Brien; and Conor Murray; one step grandson, Sean Euler. When Tom married Mary Ann, he married into her large Irish family and will be remembered fondly by many beloved brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews. On his side of the family, Tom leaves behind many first and second cousins, many of whom he met as he delved into genealogy, often scouring old records from Yonkers, looking for familial connections. Tom also leaves behind many dear and special friends.
A native of Yonkers, NY, Tom attended PS 24, St. Joseph’s Parochial School, and Sacred Heart High School.
A lifelong drawback specialist, Tom started to work with Union Carbide Corporation in its headquarters in New York and remained with them until he was called up to serve during the Korean War. After completing basic training in Fort Knox, KY, Tom was assigned to Headquarters United States Forces Austria and was stationed outside Salzburg, Austria. He was joined in Austria by his bride Mary Anne, and they lived in Salzburg, where their first daughter Judy Marie was born, until September 1955.
After returning to the United States, Tom and Mary Anne lived in Yonkers and New Rochelle before making Bergenfield their home in 1964. With the addition of the twins in 1970, the family outgrew their small house on Willow Street and moved to their large, iconic James Street home. Forever known as the “red house on the corner,” James Street became a beloved gathering place for the Ahearn and McGrath family and was the site of 50 years of holidays, family gatherings, and an abundance of cherished memories.
After his separation from the military, Tom returned to Union Carbide and was employed by their Ore Company until he was transferred to the International Distribution Department, where he worked on the importation of merchandise into the United States and the US Bureau of Customs. He was licensed as a Customhouse Broker by the Treasury Department in 1970.
Tom’s work also extended to several business endeavors. He was active on several national committees on behalf of Union Carbide and served as a member of the Import and Customs committees of both the New York Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the American Importers Association. For many years, he was Chairman or Vice Chairman of the Drawback committee and the Import and Customs committee of NCITD (National Committee for International Trade Documentation). Tom was also an instructor and lecturer for The World Trade Institute and participated in seminars for other organizations, including the National Association of Purchasing Management and Synthetic Organic Chemical Manufacturers Association. Tom was a lifetime member of the Foreign Commerce Club.
After leaving Union Carbide, Tom joined C.J. Holt and Co. Inc. as a Vice President and remained with them until the company was sold. He then founded Tom Ahearn Associates Inc., The Drawback Company. At this time, Tom became active as a member of the Drawback committee of the National Customs Brokers and Forwarders Association of America and served as its Vice Chairman. Tom closed his company in 2005 but continued to do consulting work in the field of importing and drawback.
Tom took an active role in his children’s activities, coaching basketball for St. Joseph’s CYO in Yonkers, St. John’s CYO in Bergenfield and the Bergenfield PAL. He also served on the committees for St. John’s Girl Scouts, Cub Scouts, and Boy Scouts. He is also a member of St. John’s Council #1345, Knights of Columbus and St. John’s Golden Agers.

 An avid bowler until his late 80s, Tom loved spending his Friday nights with Mary Anne, his friends, and his bowling league. He spent many afternoons golfing and was a frequent traveler. When the kids were young, the Ahearns were well known for their camping adventures, but once they grew up, Tom and Mary Anne traveled across the United States and the globe, including a memorable family trip returning to Austria in 1986. A veteran, Tom was a member of the American Legion and the Catholic War Veterans.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to either The Sharing Network or the Friends of the Bergenfield Public Library.

Visiting Tuesday  4-8 PM at Riewerts Memorial Home, 187 So. Washington Ave. Bergenfield. All will gather at St. John the Evangelist R.C. Church, 29 No. Washington Ave Bergenfield on Wednesday at 10:45 AM for the Funeral Mass at 11 AM.