Thomas Lawrence Aveni

Thomas Lawrence Aveni was born April 23, 1939 at Yonkers Hospital, New York to Thomas and Antoinette Aveni. He lived in Queens until high school when the family moved to Chappaqua, NY. He graduated Horace Greeley HS in 1957 and attended Fordham University graduating from the school of Pharmacy in 1961. He was in ROTC for four years and upon graduation from Fordham, he received his commission as 2nd lieutenant in the United States Army, serving his country for five years. He retired as a Captain. After being discharged, He went back to work as a pharmacist at Lexington Avenue Pharmacy in New York.

While practicing pharmacy, he started to work at Elevator Doors in Paterson, NJ under the supervision of his father-in-law, Jim, who guided him in learning the business. Upon Jim’s retirement, Thomas oversaw the company and its many challenges bringing it to greater heights. He became President and CEO and in 1988, he bought the company, becoming the owner of EDI-ECI until 2014. The project which filled Thomas with the most pride was the Statue of Liberty. After being awarded the contract, he achieved his goal of a perfect and timely renovation.

After a successful career, with offices in NJ, NY, and MA, he retired and became a snowbird residing In Frenchman’s Creek in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. To keep busy and his mind engaged, he and Dorrie bought a second house that they totally renovated for sale.

Thomas also enjoyed spending summers in their Dream Catcher beach house in Loveladies on

Long Beach Island. Here is the place his grandkids learned to fish, crab, surf, and jet ski. He was a great family man, the best husband, dad, and poppy, for sure.

His favorite family place was their farmhouse in Towaco, NJ built in 1853 where he and Dorrie raised their family of 5 children. His grandchildren resided in the area so Thomas got to enjoy watching them grow and they added such joy to his life. Whether here, in Palm Beach Gardens or Long Beach Island, his heart was always full when his children and grandchildren were with him.

Thomas leaves his beloved wife, Dorrie, his daughter Cynthia and husband Scott of Kinnelon, Tamara and her husband Paul of Wayne, Julie and her partner, Lee of Montville, sons Robert and his partner, Matilda of Florida and Christopher and wife, Kelly of Towaco. Thomas is also survived by his much beloved eight grandchildren: Nicholas, Ryan, Kristin, Lauren, Thomas, Daniel, Chloe, and Chelsea.

He is also survived by his sister, Patricia of Little Falls, NJ, nephews Todd, Damon, Robert, Joe and nieces, Laura, Ellen, Teri, and Andrea.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent in memory of Thomas Aveni to St Jude’s Hospital or Holy Spirit Lutheran Church in Juno Beach, Florida.