Save the Great South Bay 28 Village Line Rd. Babylon, NY 11702 www.savethegreatsouthbay.org

Thomas Eugene Calissi, 76, of West Islip, New York passed away on Sunday, May 14, 2023. Tom was born on March 28, 1947 to Eugene and Clarice Calissi in Rockville Centre. His parents took him home to Seaford, New York where he lived for 25 years. Tom graduated from Seaford High School in 1965, was drafted into the Army in 1966, and served two years active duty at Fort Bliss Texas. Tom went on to study business at Farmingdale State College and received his Bachelor’s degree in accounting from Hofstra University. After graduating with a degree in accounting, he started a job for the New York State Audit and Control Office as an auditor. He then moved on to work as an auditor for the town of Smithtown. He found his passion at the Attorney General’s Office as a forensic auditor, kickstarting a 30+ year career.

In 1969, Tom met Rosemarie Taussig at the Embassy Diner in Bethpage, Long Island. Tom and Rose married on October 15, 1972 and went on to have 3 children, Jonathan (Barbara), Jennifer (Anthony), and Jason (Tracey) who gave him 6 grandsons, Connor, Kai, Caleb, Kolton, Nolan, and Joshua. As a young man in his spare time Tom earned his pilot’s license and enjoyed taking his kids flying. Tom was an avid boater and a longtime member of the Power Squadron (America’s Boating Club) where, over the years, he earned 19 merit marks for his invaluable contributions. He earned his Captain’s and Advanced Pilot’s license and has boated all over the east coast. He liked working as a wood craftsman and later in life enjoyed sharing these skills with his grandchildren. Tom loved camping, snow skiing, water skiing, playing bocce ball, playing pool, drag racing, and video chatting with his grandsons. In 2003, Tom retired and spent his time boating, traveling, playing cards, playing pool, meeting buddies for lunch, and enjoying his grandchildren. And he always loved having a good time with friends and family! The wake will be held at The Fredrick J. Chapey & Sons Funeral Home in West Islip on Wednesday, May 17, 2023 from 3:00-5:00 pm and 7:00-9:00 pm. Servies will start Thursday, May 18, 2023 at 11:30 at The Fredrick J. Chapey & Sons Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Tom’s honor to Save the Great South Bay (www.savethegreatsouthbay.org), an organization that actively works to restore and protect water quality in the Great South Bay, ensuring its waters are safe for swimming, fishing, and boating, and providing healthy habitats for fish, shellfish, birds, turtles, and other marine life thereby supporting our local economies and way of life, for us and for future generations. Tom loved boating, clamming, swimming, skiing, and partying on the Bay. He raised his kids on the Great South Bay, met some of his best friends there, and made priceless memories. Tom would be happy knowing that his future generations will get to enjoy the Bay as much as he did.