Thomas J Kaechele

Thomas Joseph Kaechele – passed away Sunday, April 10, 2022 after a courageous battle with cancer. Tom was born in Birmingham, Alabama and was a 27-year resident of Haworth and parishioner at Sacred Heart Church. Tom was a loving husband to Susanne (nee Crimmins) for 34 years and was the proud father of Alexandra and Colin. He is survived by his brother Bill and his wife Nancy of Lake George and his sister Kathy and husband Jack Kayser of West Milford. Tom will be dearly missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him, especially his brothers and sister’s in-law, many nieces and nephews and dear friends. He is predeceased by his father Bill and his mother Dorothy Joan. Tom graduated from Pascack Valley High School in Hillsdale where he was a three sport athlete playing football, basketball and his beloved baseball. He continued playing baseball at St. Thomas Aquinas College in Sparkill, NY and ultimately coached at Northern Valley Demarest, the Belgium National Team, USA Baseball, and Rutgers Newark, where he was the Assistant Athletic Director. His first teaching job was at the Demarest Middle School, Tom kept in touch with so many of his former students, and he was so beloved. For the past 24 years, Tom has been the Athletic Director and Supervisor of Health and Physical Education at Northern Valley Old Tappan. Throughout his career Tom held many positions within the Big North, Bergen County Coaches Association and the NJSIAA. He received many awards in which he was so honored. He was very humble and always thanked those who helped him receive such accolades. He was a fan of the NY Giants, Mets, Yankees, NY Rangers, Rutgers Football, Basketball, Wrestling and of course his OT Golden Knights as well as all of the Northern Valley Regional HS teams. Tom was passionate about gardening, photography, art, books, music, theatre and the Grateful Dead. He had a gifted ability to engage with people and always make everyone feel special. He was always inclusive and captivated the hearts of many. He had an infectious laugh. Tom’s greatest accomplishment was being a dad to Alexandra and Colin. He was so proud of them and enjoyed coaching their many Haworth Rec and Travel Teams and watching them play high school sports at Northern Valley Demarest. He treasured the memories they made at the Outer Banks in NC and Pawleys Island, SC. He loved family gatherings and walking and hiking with his labradoodle, Charlie. He loved his children and family more than anything and will be forever missed. The family will receive friends and family on Wednesday, April 20th from 4:00-8:00 pm at Sacred Heart Church, Park Street, Haworth. A funeral mass will be held on Thursday, April 21st at 10:00 am, at Sacred Heart Church, Park Street, Haworth. Interment will be at George Washington Memorial Park in Paramus NJ. In lieu of flowers, donations in Tom’s memory may be made to Northern Valley Old Tappan HS Athletic Association 100 Central Ave Old Tappan NJ 07675, The YMCA of Greater Bergen County 360 Main Street Hackensack NJ 07601 or the Haworth Library. 165 Stevens Place Haworth NJ 07641