Obituary of Thomas Jeffrey Armstong

Thomas Jeffery Armstrong, loving husband, father, brother, and grandfather passed away on October 24, 2019. He is survived by his wife, Mary Ellen Armstrong (Thom), son and daughter-in-law, Patrick and Christine Armstrong, daughter, Amy Armstrong, son and daughter-in-law, Nathan and Brianne Armstrong, son, Thom Armstrong, sister, Sallie Huntting, brother Kevin Armstrong, and brother Phil Armstrong, and grandchildren Olivia, Joseph, Griffin, Owen, Nathan, Everly, & Emma. He was predeceased by his sister, Peggy Armstrong, mother and father Margaret & Thomas Armstrong.

Jeff (as he was known) was a Renaissance Man in every sense of the word. An Eagle Scout, an MBA graduate, an accomplished business executive and a lover of language, culture, and music. He could have you doubled over in laughter one minute and giving you the best advice you ever received the next. An avid lover of the outdoors, he enjoyed spending time in the beauty of nature.

Jeff was born in Binghamton, NY on December 14^th, 1946. He lived in Saratoga, California during his youth and attended Santa Clara University. He spent his junior year living in Rome as part of the Loyola University of Chicago.  He returned to graduate with a B.S. in Commerce and Marketing and most importantly met the love of his life, Mary Ellen. Jeff and Mary Ellen were married on June 10, 1969, in Los Angeles, California at the home of Mary Ellen’s parents Dr. and Mrs. John Thom.

He then went to the University of Colorado at Boulder where he received an MBA in Marketing, graduating cum laude. He would go on to have a successful sales and marketing career in the fashion industry working at companies such as Levi Straus & Co and Kellwood. After retiring in 2013, he continued to provide guidance and mentorship to students from Loyola.

After eight years of raising a family in Los Angeles, Jeff and Mary Ellen moved to Allendale, NJ where they resided for 23 years. He was also an active participant in the community and a coach to countless sports teams for his kids as well as a Youth Soccer Referee.

Jeff was the bedrock for the people closest to him and could light up any room he entered with his charm and wit. He will be deeply missed by family, relatives, friends, coworkers, and lives he touched.

Funeral arrangements are planned for Monday, October 28^th from 2 pm-4 pm with the service beginning at 2:30 Vander Plaat Funeral Home, 257 Godwin Avenue Wyckoff, NJ. Donations can be made on Jeff’s behalf to the Transplant Research Fund for the Nephrology Division at Columbia University. http://bit.ly/jeffarmstrong