Obituary of Deacon Thomas Klaas

Beloved husband and father Thomas Harold Klaas (TK), 66, of Basking Ridge, passed away peacefully on January 15, 2022, after a battle with brain cancer. Tom was born in Jerome, Idaho to Mary Jane and Harold Klaas on September 25,1955. He earned his bachelor’s degree from University of Idaho in 1977. Tom was a Senior Learning Consultant with Aetna CVS Health, where he had a successful career for 24 years. He married Susan Klaas on June 15, 2002 in Basking Ridge, NJ, blending a family of six children. One of his biggest passions was his faith, and in 2010 he was ordained as a Permanent Deacon for the Roman Catholic Church. He served at St. James Catholic Church in Basking Ridge, NJ, where he gave many beloved homilies and was active in the Youth Ministry. He enjoyed spending time on the golf course and playing guitar surrounded by friends and family. Tom connected with many through this faith, energy and great sense of humor. Tom is preceded in death by his parents Mary Jane and Harold Klaas. Tom is survived by his wife, Susan Klaas; his son, Paul Klaas and his wife Crystal; his son Philip Klaas; his daughter Marissa Valentine (Klaas) and her husband Jacob; his step-son Curtis Triece and his wife Tina; his step-daughter Kelly Ehrenberger (Triece) and her husband Joseph; his step-daughter Jackie Triece; his grandchildren Declan, Jude, Silas, Emma and Preston; his siblings Orice Klaas and her partner Sue, Kaline (Constance) Klaas, Timothy Klaas, Mary Vogel and her husband Leon, Theodore Klaas and his wife Beth, Martha Naccarato and her husband Shawn, and Theresa Exon and her husband Dan; and his many special nieces and nephews. Tom’s vivacious spirit, dancing skills and kindness will be missed by all who knew him. Hours of visitation are at St. James Roman Catholic Church, 184 S. Finley Ave., Basking Ridge, NJ, on Friday, January 21, 2022, from 3-7pm. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Saturday, January 22, 2022, 10:00 am, at St. James Roman Catholic Church. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Tom’s memory to the National Brain Tumor Society. For further information, or to leave an online condolence message please visit www.gcfuneralhome.com