Birth date: Mar 11, 1946 Death date: Aug 29, 2023
Thomas Edward Wartenberg, age 77 of Millsboro, DE, passed away on Tuesday, August 29, 2023, at Beebe Healthcare, in Lewes, DE. He was born on March 11, 1946, in Queens, NY, son of the late Manuel and Beatrice Wartenberg. Tom grew Read Obituary
Tom, it was great to meet you through my brother Merv, and then to be included in parties that you had and of course the cruises that we also went on together. Nobody knows how to party like you did! I really enjoyed my times with you and Michelle and your family. Rest in peace man, you need the rest after all that partying!
Dear Michelle, I just learned of Tom's passing and I am so deeply sorry that I did not learn sooner. Tom and I worked together at Colonial Penn way back in the early 1970's. I remember him being close friends at CP with Les Fogel and Arnold Ross. I was a young "whipper-snapper" fresh out of college, while Tom was already a key figure in our data processing department, yet he was always nice to me and would say hello. I remember being sad when I heard that he, Les and a few others left CP to form their own company and, I believe, to start a new AARP in Europe -- I believe that may have been the early genesis of Tom forming LIMS. We connected again in 2005, when he, Rosalie Grosso and I worked on putting together a Colonial Penn reunion, which was a huge success and we continued our friendship and contact via Facebook through the years. I will never forget that, although we were casual social media friends, the year that my husband passed away (2016) he invited me to your holiday party at your home in Cherry Hill. Although I was a stranger to most there, Tom and you were so welcoming and I enjoyed the gathering. It was clear that you and Tom attracted like-minded caring folks -- just like you. A regular poster on Facebook, like me, we frequently replied to each other's posts. The recent silence on Facebook is what alerted me to something having happened. Again, I am so deeply sorry for your loss of this very special man. May his memory be a blessing to you and your family, may in he rest in the arms of God, watching over you. God bless, Susan Latella
I am so very sorry, Tom was such a wonderful and funny man who will be remembered fondly.
Michelle, I’m so so sorry. Tom was so gracious and kind. Loved when he took aerobic classes. Appreciated all the lunches/dinners he took his staff back in the day. Hopefully he was able to go peacefully
I've known Tom my whole life - but he knew me even longer! When Tom and my dad (Leslie) were in the 3rd grade, Les was teased about his name and apparently Tom suggested there was nothing to do. His name is his name, but they could choose Leslie's son's name. So the two of them spent all of a recess period listing names, and they settled on David.
One more... My dad taught me the rules of chess and Tom taught me some strategy at Les & Kate's wedding party. "Dave this is how I beat your dad at Chess!" At that point Dad walked up... "Dave, do not listen, he did not beat me at chess!" these two best friends talked trash about a boardgame - and they seemed to love the conversation about the game as much as the game itself. I am a fan of boardgames today - carried forward from them!
He's "walking on sunshine" now and I'll always remember him from Zumba since that was his favorite song! RIP Tom and show 'em how to do it in heaven!
I am so sorry to hear about Tom. I met him in zumba class. He was very friendly and my husband and I enjoyed joining him & Michelle for dinner one evening. He was a real survivor & he certainly did live life to the fullest! Our sympathies go out to Michelle & family.
I loved reading the story of Tom’s life. He always lived life to the fullest. I remember one of the first times that I met Tom. I was in junior high school when Tom and Michelle rolled into town to see my parents. Instantly, and even at a young age, I could tell that Tom would be one of the smartest and most caring men I would ever meet.
I was having a hard time at school because of kids being kids. I honestly don’t mind admitting that our family never came from money, but we were always humble, and my parents always made sure we were taken care of. Kids at school were teasing me because I didn’t have the newest and greatest clothes. They teased me because of my cheap watch that was functional and did its job, yet wasn’t the coolest on the market. Tom, being Tom, over heard the conversation and said as he reached for his wrist “try this on for size…. Roll in tomorrow with that on your wrist and see what they say”. I had no idea what to say, but of course Tom loved a good challenge.
When I joined the Air Force my first duty station was Fort Dix, New Jersey. Honestly I had no idea what I was in for other than my sister attended basic training in the same location. Tom loved his parties and loved entertaining, and we were invited to the Super Bowl party he was hosting at their house. I seriously had no idea what I was in for. That night Tom introduced me to something that would last a lifetime for me. He introduced me to fine food and scotch. He had conversation last about where the scotch came from, the hotel keys from Europe, and the caviar that he had flown in. It’s a moment in time that will forever be held in my mind.
I can’t forget the conversations that felt as if they were yesterday. I knew I could always send a text and ask a question about investments or people that I was doing business with. He would always be honest and route me in the right direction. I never felt judged by Tom in the slightest. I always admired his intellect, integrity, and vigor for life and the things around him. Thank you Tom for instilling something in me that others may or may not know. A little bit of you drives me everyday. Thank you for being you….. we will all miss you in our own way.
