from the USTA Communications Department

Columbus, OH — Thomas Carl Fanning, 87, of Shark River Hills, Neptune, and formerly of Oradell, N.J., died July 19, 2014, at his home.

Mr. Fanning was a loving father, beloved husband and an extraordinary man whose family and faith took precedence in his life. He cherished his friendships and had a warm, loving and giving heart. He enjoyed time spent by the sea, wood carving and art-deco painting.

Born in Jersey City in 1927 to Techla and Edmund Carl Fanning, he was an avid photographer and radio enthusiast. He graduated from St. Peter’s College High School in 1944, joined the Army Air Corps during World War II, Squadron N 3505th AAF Base Unit and Detach 723d AAF Base Unit. After his service he attended Seton Hall University Business School where he received his Bachelor of Science degree in 1951.

Mr. Fanning worked in the printing business/sales for Shelby/Miami Systems for 55 years, retiring in 2006. He was founding partner and manager of Hexagon Farm Horse Racing Stable.

He was a longtime member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Club in Union City, a lector and Eucharistic minister at St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church in Oradell, a 3rd degree Knight at the New Milford K of C St. Joseph’s Council #3814, and a Eucharistic Minister and member of the St. Vincent de Paul Society at Holy Innocents Church in Neptune.

He was married to Enes Lidoli Fanning for 45 years until her death in 1999.

Mr. Fanning is survived by his wife, Barbara-Ann, whom he married in 2001; sons, Thomas (Moira), Stephen (Sharon) and Edmund (Lisa); grandchildren, Alyssa, Emma, Veronica, Caroline, Sara, and Brielle; step-children, Denise (Bill) Heitman and Donald (Donna) Tietjen; step-grandchildren, Liam Heitman, John Tietjen, Louis Tietjen and Katie Tietjen; as well as extended family, Renee (Jeffrey) Loprete, Tina (Rich) Jablonowski, Stacy (Max) Guenther, Thomas (Charlotte) Delaura and William, Donald and Paul Sullivan. He was preceded in death by his mother, Techla M. Schreck Fanning; father, Edmund Carl Fanning; sisters, Veronica DeLaura and Jean Sullivan; and brother, Bill Schreck.

Visitation will be on Tuesday (July 22) from 6-9 p.m. and Wednesday (July 23) from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. at the O’Brien Funeral Home, 2028 Highway 35, Wall, N.J. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday (July 24) at 10 a.m. at Holy Innocents Church, 3455 W Bangs Ave., Neptune. The Interment will follow at George Washington Memorial Park, 234 Paramus Rd., Paramus, N.J.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the St. Vincent de Paul Society at Holy Innocents Church, 3455 West Bangs Ave., Neptune, NJ 07753 or St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.