Thomas J. Tagliareni, 66, of Howell Township peacefully passed away on Monday, August 2, 2021. Surviving are his loving wife of 37 years, Diane Sopkiewicz; a son, Thomas J. Tagliareni, Jr. and wife Brittany

He was a custodian for the Manalapan-Englishtown Board of Education for 18 years before his retirement.

Tom enjoyed the outdoors and nature, bird watching, and fishing. He was known by family and friends as a “big teaser”.

He was predeceased by his parents, Joseph and Grace Cooley Tagliareni; two sisters, Joyce Tagliareni and Barbara Marriott, and a brother-in-law, John Sopkiewicz, Jr.

He is also survived by two sisters, Cookie Cutter and husband Roy, and Mary Ellen Tagliareni; four grandchildren, Tyler, Annabelle, Vincent, and Cora Tagliareni; three sisters-in-law, Ruth Galuska, Karen Brackett and Carol Aigner; and numerous nieces and nephews.

The viewing will be held at the Higgins Memorial Home, 20 Center Street, Freehold on Thursday from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. Masks and social distancing will be required during the viewing hours.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to Epilepsy Services of New Jersey (https://epilepsyservicesnj.org/) would be appreciated.