Obituary of Thomas J Gordon

Thomas J. Gordon, famously known as Tommy G, passed away peacefully on April 8, 2024, in Manalapan, NJ, at the age of 67. He was born on September 26, 1956, in Brooklyn, NY.

Tommy was a graduate of Lafayette High School in Brooklyn, NY, and earned his B.A. in Psychology from the City University of New York.

In his early professional life, Tommy was a saxophone player in the popular wedding band, Phase 4, before starting his own company, Tom Gordon Music Entertainment.  He was a one-man emcee, DJ and entertainer, bringing joy and fun to newlyweds and their families in the tri-state for over 30 years.  Tommy always had a love of media and making people laugh, and in the 1990s a star was born.  He had a successful career in media, working at New York’s top radio stations, Z100 and Hot97, where he was popularly known as “The Commissioner.”  Tommy began to build a well-known professional persona, which led him to NJ101.5 in the early 2000s.  Tommy hosted the extremely popular 11 PM - 3 AM shift from 2004 to 2009 and became the highest-rated host ever for that shift, earning the moniker “Leader of the Late Night.”  He drew crowds at all the events he attended and was well- known for his dedication and passion in the media industry.  After working at WCTC in New Brunswick, he became CEO of TG Media and day-time drive host of the TommyGShow for over 15 years.  Numerous local politicians and celebrities were interviewed by Tommy on his show and local businesses clamored to be a sponsor.  He took pride in providing local weather, news and traffic reports to his legions of fans around the state.  Tommy was also a contributor to the Gordon-family book (The Celebrity Who’s Who of Losers: A Parody) and a Hollywood motion picture (RoboDoc).  His greatest joy later in life, and his most important job, was simply as “Papa '' to his grandchildren.  They were his entire world and the center of his life, and they will miss his jokes, Amazon shopping sprees, vacations, baby-sitting activities, enjoyable conversations, “Win Papa’s Money,” and the infamous “Who’s the best Papa?  Tommy G!”

Tommy is survived by his wife and high school sweetheart of 45 years, Judith A. Gordon, of Manalapan, New Jersey; his parents, Sydelle and Bernard of Clermont, Florida; his siblings: David and Linda Gordon of Brooklyn, New York; Dr. Scott Gordon and Dr. Dianne Zullow of Kissimmee, Florida; Brian and Viroshini Gordon of Winter Garden, Florida; Jason Gordon, Esq. and Catherine Gordon Esq, of Cocoa Beach, Florida; Dr. Doug Gordon and Dr. Jennifer Tonthat Gordon of Merritt Island, Florida; Dr. Scott Marsel and Eve Gordon Marsel, Esq., of Windermere, Florida; and William and Eileen Corsello of Staten Island, New York; his daughters, Heather Gordon Russoniello and son-in-law Patrick Russoniello of Scotch Plains, New Jersey; and Jennifer Gordon Katz and son-in-law Howard Katz of Cherry Hill, New Jersey.  Tommy also leaves behind a legacy of five grandchildren: Brianna and Olivia Russoniello of Scotch Plains, New Jersey; and Addison Baeli, Reese, and Sean Katz of Cherry Hill, New Jersey, as well as numerous nieces and nephews, thousands of friends, and acquaintances.

A service to honor Tommy’s life will be held at 2:00 PM ET on Thursday, April 11, 2024, at the Mount Sinai Memorial Park & Mausoleum, 374 Hwy 79 in Morganville. Shiva will take place from April 11 to April 13 at the family home in Manalapan, New Jersey.

Tommy will be deeply missed by all who knew him, and his memory will forever live on in the hearts of those he touched.