The College Mourns the Passing of Tom Wade
November 6, 2020—President Murray informed the College community about Tom Wade’s passing:
I am writing to let you know of the passing of Tom Wade, a former senior administrator and beloved longtime member of the Marist community. Tom played a significant role in the early development of the College, serving here during a period of great change, both at the institution and in society. Even after leaving Marist, Tom remained deeply involved and supportive of the institution for the rest of his life. He truly embodied Marist’s core values of excellence in education, sense of community, and service to others.
Tom joined our college community in 1962 after receiving his BS in physical education from Manhattan College and MS in education administration from Hofstra University. President Richard Foy hired him as Head Basketball Coach and Assistant Director of Admissions, and during this time, he coached future MAAC hall of famer Fred Weiss ’64. Tom went on to play a number of senior administrative roles at the College over the next two decades, including Director of Admissions, Director of Development, and Dean of Students. Tom is remembered fondly by many former students for the way in which he nurtured talent and encouraged success. Marist was a much smaller institution then, and, alongside the Marist Brothers, he was one of the people who really built the institution we are today.
In 1983, Tom founded Wade Associates, a management and nonprofit fundraising consulting firm, but he continued his active involvement in the life of the College, and his son Kevin graduated from Marist in 1987. Tom and his wife Ann were always loyal Marist donors, as well as founding members of our Legacy Society. He remained an enthusiastic Marist basketball fan, particularly the women’s basketball team, and he could often be seen attending games with Richard Foy. Tom was also a constant presence in the local community, serving as board chair for Mid-Hudson Pattern for Progress and the Dutchess County United Way; a member of the board for Rhinebeck Bank and Dutchess County Economic Development Corporation; and a longtime congregant at Regina Coeli Church in Hyde Park.
Tom was an outstanding person and a wonderful supporter of our college community. Our deepest sympathies go out to Ann, his wife of 57 years, and his children Kevin ’87, Patti, Mary Beth, and Tara. Tom will be greatly missed, and the entire Marist community is grateful to him for the many ways in which he made our institution a better place.
Calling hours will be on Sunday, November 8 from 2-5 p.m. at Sweet’s Funeral Home in Hyde Park. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, November 9 at 10 a.m. at Regina Coeli Church in Hyde Park. Burial will follow in St. Peter’s Cemetery, Poughkeepsie. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Marist Brothers Fund at www.maristbr.org or P.O. Box 250; Worth, IL 60482.