Thomas Jay Munkelwitz

Thomas Jay Munkelwitz, known fondly as Tom, passed away peacefully on June 12, 2026 at age 78 next to his loving and devoted wife, Linda.

A lifelong resident of Sayville, Tom was an avid sailor and was part of the Blue Jay project in the 1950’s. He cherished his boat, the Tee Jay, and raced on the Great South Bay at Wet Pants, where he served as Commodore. Tom strove to preserve the history of the Bay as Chairman of the Long Island Maritime Museum, where he co-captained the Priscilla and brought her to the Parade of Tall Ships in New York Harbor in 1986 to celebrate the Statue of Liberty’s Centenary. After his family, Tom’s first love was St. Ann’s Church. An esteemed and vibrant lifetime member of the Parish, he served the Lord in all aspects, from Junior Choir to Senior Warden and Treasurer.

Tom had a kind, gentle, and loving spirit, and was a beloved and devoted friend. He was a voracious reader with a passion to learn, never hesitating to Google information, even if you were only mildly interested in the topic. He was outgoing and friendly, had a jolly laugh, and was always smiling. More than anything, he loved being a grandpa, sharing stories of ancestors and teaching his granddaughters to juggle and play chess.

In retirement, Tom and Linda traveled frequently and enjoyed sharing meals and meeting new friends on cruise ships, with whom he’d share his family’s story – without fail. He loved feeding and watching the birds, sending photos of interesting creatures to his granddaughters, watching BBC programs, listening to NPR, and keeping tabs on international soccer. He would always make sure to keep his family informed of stats and team standings. He will be loved and remembered fondly by so many.

Tom is survived by his wife Linda, his daughter Jane DelGiorno and her husband Chris, and his granddaughters, Maya and Lana.

In lieu of flowers, donations to St. Ann’s Church in Sayville in Tom’s memory would be appreciated.