Tom Brodesser

June 20, 1928 - January 24, 2021

BRODESSER JR., Thomas F., – 92 of Cape May, NJ and Jupiter, FL, passed away peacefully in the comfort of his home with his loving family at his side on January 24, 2021. Tom was a graduate of Northeast Catholic High School, Philadelphia, PA and attended Drexel University in the evening. Tom was a leader and innovator in bringing tourism to Cape May County for over 50 years. He was pursued by the City of Cape May to bring year-round housing to Cape May. The result was the 750 unit Village Green Sub-division. Having year-round residents and families with vacation homes led to the growth of Cape May. In addition to the housing development in Cape May, Tom also built homes in North Cape May, Ventnor, and Brigantine. He served on the Homebuilders Board of Directors. He also helped in converting the Washington Street Mall in Cape May to the tourist attraction it is today. He built the jetties and seawall in Cape May, Avalon and North Wildwood to keep the beach alive and protected. He was a member of the Lower Township Rotary Club, serving as President for many years. He helped bring the Rotary Pavilion to the Ferry Terminal in North Cape May. Tom also dredged the entrance to the Cape May Canal for the ferry terminal. Tom built Big Timber Lake Campground in Cape May Court House, which he owned until 1980 and Beachcomber Campground in Lower Township which is still being operated by his family today. He was very active with the Knights of Columbus. He was on the Board of Directors of Cape Regional Medical Center for 32 years and helped in making the hospitals one of the best in the area, particularly the “Thomas and Claire Brodesser Cancer Center” and the “Claire Brodesser Surgery Center”. A born entrepreneur, wherever Tom saw a need he also had the vision to create businesses along the way during his life. In addition to business, Tom was a man of varied interests and enjoyed hunting, sport fishing, horseback riding, boating and boat building, golf, a Crown Royal XO (on occasion), dancing and water skiing in his younger years. Tom also enjoyed showing antique cars. Above all things in Tom’s life, his greatest love and legacy are his family and they will miss their Patriarch to say the least. He was a mentor to his family and close friends, always taking the lead; setting an impeccable example and offering his knowledge to the younger generations. The most important legacy Dad left to his family was that he took great pride in mentoring his grandchildren and great grandchildren and encouraging their education. Tom enjoyed spending time with his family later in life and spurred their interest in fishing, golfing and hunting. He enjoyed a marriage of 43 years to the late Claire C. Brodesser. He is also predeceased by his siblings, Joan Beck and Joseph Brodesser. Tom will be dearly missed and forever loved by his family which includes his three daughters, Theresa “Terry” Coppa, Margaret “Maggy” Robinson (David) and Tamalynne “Tammy” Gomez (Ken); six grandchildren, Steve, Allan, Thomas, Rudy, Mark and Mary; ten great grandchildren, John Thomas, Lillian, Charlotte, Tommy, Bailey, Justin, Amber, Allie, Sarah and Vivian. Tom’s Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday (Jan 30th) at 11am in St. John of God Church, 680 Townbank Rd., N. Cape May, NJ. His eulogy will begin promptly at 10:40am. If you are planning to attend physically, please arrive at the church and be seated between 10am an 10:30am. There will be no gathering or visitation before Mass. For those who are not able to attend physically, Tom’s eulogy and Mass will be available via livestream. The livestream will be accessible beginning at 10:30am by clicking this link http://client.tribucast.com/tcid/65331404 Entombment will follow Mass in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Cape May. No flowers please, memorial contributions are suggested to the Brodesser Surgery Center online at: https://www.caperegional.com/foundation/make-a-donation/online-donation-form **Note: Regarding the livestream, we are at the mercy of the internet connection and speed coming into the church. If we lose the internet feed by chance, please know that everything will be recorded and available to be seen in it's entirety on Tom's tribute wall here on his webpage within 2 hours of the conclusion of Mass.