Robert M. Thomas II's Obituary
Robert M. Thomas II, of Voorhees, NJ, passed away on July 5th, 2025, at the age of 71.
Born to the late Robert and Genevieve (nee Trachok) on July 14th, 1953, in Newark, NJ. Rob is the beloved brother of Lori (Tom) Karasewicz and the late Lynn Thomas (2018). Growing up in Kenilworth, NJ, Rob attended David Brearley High School as the graduating class of 1971. While a teenager, Rob had the pleasure of meeting Carolyn (nee Steele) through mutual friends. The pair became inseparable, sharing bonds of values and family. Rob and Carolyn were married in August of 1976, sharing 48 years of love and partnership until Rob’s passing. As newlyweds, they purchased their home in Cranford, NJ, where they would spend the next 37 years building a life together. From the beginning, they knew they wanted a family of their own, and they shared that love by welcoming their beloved daughter, Rachel (Tyler) Grace, into their lives. As a dad, Rob was the OG girl dad. He supported Rachel in every school activity and sporting event in her life, from coaching her softball team or cheering from the sideline, Rob was there. Being Rachel’s dad meant everything to Rob. He wanted to instill kindness, strength, and love in her life the way he wished for as a child. As a family, they spent summers at their lakeside house on Sleepy Hollow Lake in Athens, New York. There, they enjoyed fishing and floating on the lake, playing games, and ending the day with s’mores by the fire. The lake house was also the special setting for Rachel and Tyler’s wedding, a celebration that reflected the warmth and closeness of the family. As Rachel grew up and started a family of her own, she and Tyler gave Rob the greatest gift of all, his two beautiful granddaughters, Selby and Tillie. Around this time, Rob and Carolyn moved to Voorhees, NJ, embracing their next chapter as devoted grandparents. Rob loved being their Grampy, he showed up for the girls the same way he showed up for Rachel as a child, cheering them on with school achievements, or affectionately yelling from the bleachers “Everybody Hits!”. Rob even shared a birthday with his beloved granddaughter, Tillie, making the day a little bit sweeter.
Family meant the world to Rob. He believed that family wasn’t just defined by blood, but by the people you choose to surround yourself with. Rob was a friend of Bill’s for 38 years, sponsoring many young men who were navigating similar struggles. His friends and sponsees remember how his personality sparkled, he brought light into people’s lives when they couldn’t see it for themselves. Rob's chosen family loved Rob back as fiercely as he had loved them. His chosen family gave him the proud achievement of officiating not one, but two weddings. Rob’s family fondly remember his persistence in life and his unwavering desire to always move to the next task, something they believe kept him going throughout these many years. Rob remained resilient in times of challenges as he faced Pancreatic Cancer the past four years, his light never dimmed.
Rob’s love of the people around him knew no bounds. He could be found hanging out with his buddies who called themselves The Rock & Roll Tour Bus attending concerts and attending 1st Friday Couples with Carolyn for nearly 26 years. Rob worked for Schering Corp. (now Merck) for 34 years and loved listening to Classic Rock.
Rob will be remembered fondly by those who knew and loved him for his charismatic, bright personality, his infectious laugh, and his heart of gold.
In lieu of flowers, the best way we can truly honor Rob’s memory is to pay it forward. Keep it simple, buy a stranger a cup of coffee, plant a tree, put an extra dollar in the collection plate, welcome a newcomer, be generous with compliments, make a donation to a cause you care about, or offer an unexpected kindness. However you choose to pay it forward, please think of Rob when you do.
“Do the right thing, and then the next right thing.” - Robert M. Thomas, II.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend Rob’s visitation on Saturday, July 12th, 2025, from 11am – 1pm at Givnish Funeral Home, located at 398 E. Main Street, Marlton, NJ, 08053. Words of Remembrance will immediately follow at 1pm.
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Share a story where Robert's kindness touched your heart.
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