Thomas A. Pankok, Sr.

Thomas A. Pankok, Sr., age 90, of Mannington, passed away Monday, January 31st 2022 in Christiana Medical Center, Newark, DE.

Born in Salem, he was the son of the late Harry C. and Clara A. Schuh Pankok.  Tom worked as a New Jersey Bell Assistant Manager for 30 years from 1957 to 1987.  He was a Legislative Representative for the NJ Association of Counties from 1989 to 1984.  Tom served as a Salem City Councilman from 1956 to 1961, the Salem County Board of Chosen Freeholders for 20 years from 1961 to 1981 serving seven of those years as Freeholder Director.  He also served in the NJ State Assembly from 1981 to 1985, was the Chairman of the Board of Trustees for the Memorial Hospital of Salem County and was the secretary for the Delaware River Bay Authority.  Mr. Pankok was a US  Navy Veteran who served as a Petty Officer Second Class from 1951 to 1955 on the USS ARD 14 and the USS Mellette APA 156 during the Korean Conflict.  Tom was affiliated with the following organizations:  Salem County Democratic Chairman (1996-2004), President of South Jersey Freeholders (2 yrs.), President of HealthCare Commons (5 yrs.), Board of Directors United Way of Salem County (25yrs.), Salem County Chamber of Commerce (5yrs.), VFW District 14 Legislative Representative and a member of the American Legion Telephone Pioneers and Knights of Columbus.  Tom earned the following awards:  South Jersey Statesmen Award, South Jersey Development Council (1998), NJAC Legislator of the Year (1982), NJ Seed Outstanding Legislator (1985), NJ State Council G.P.P.A.W/AFL-CIO Award of Appreciation (1982 & 1983), Salem County Industrialization Government Award (1977), New Jersey Academy of Ophthalmology & Otolaryngology Legislative Effort Award (1982 &1983), Salem County Technical Institute Award of Appreciation, Southern New Jersey Freeholder President's Award  (1978 & 1979) and the New Jersey Bell Good Citizen Award (1969).  Graduating from Salem County High School in 1950, Tom was a member of Student Council and the Varsity Basketball Team & Tri-County All Star Team.  He received an Honorary Degree from Salem Community College.  Tom is survived by his sons, Thomas A. Pankok, Jr. (Jacqueline) of Carneys Point and Timothy R. Pankok (Robyn) of Woolwich Twp.; his daughter, Kathy Pankok of Mannington; 11 grandchildren and eight great grandchildren.  He is predeceased by his wife, Alma Land Pankok who he married in 1958; siblings, Carl, Harry, John, Leo, Helen and Claire.

Friends and family may call at WOODSIDE FUNERAL HOME, 613 Salem Quinton Rd., Salem, NJ 08079 (Rt. 49), Sunday February 6th from 6:00 to 8:00 PM.  Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated 10:00 AM, Monday, February 7th, in St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church, 25 Oak St., Salem, NJ 08079.  There will be no visitation before the mass.  Burial will be in the church cemetery. 
 

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