Thomas J. Cummings

Thomas J. Cummings, age 78, passed into eternal life just before midnight on Sunday, September 20, 2026. For many years he lived graciously resisting the effects of Parkinson's Disease and Dementia.

He was born on May 20, 1948, in Philadelphia PA, the first of five sons of the late Thomas F. Cummings and Mary McAneny Cummings. He met Valerie, his wife of 48 years, in Rome, Italy, while both were discerning religious vocations, only to discover their vocation in each other. They spent the first 30 years of their marriage in Maple Shade, NJ, raising two children as active parishioners at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish. Tom, a graduate of Drexel University, developed his career as an engineer which took him to many places around the USA and the world. It included naval architecture, nuclear power management, dispute resolution and expert witness testimony.

Upon his retirement in 2008, Tom and Val moved to Kill Devil Hills, NC, where their service to the Church continued at Holy Redeemer by the Sea Catholic Parish. In 2023, facing various medical needs, they moved to assisted living at Abbotswood at Stonehenge in North Raleigh. His last two months were spent in the care of Duke Hospital after a fall and post-surgical complications. His passing at Transitions Hospice House in Raleigh was a blessing.

Left to honor his memory and legacy are his wife, Valerie Biribin Cummings, their son John Cummings, their daughter Gabrielle, her husband Tripp Amos, and grandchildren AJ and Catey. Also mourning his loss are his surviving brothers Patrick (Sharon), Francis (Mary), and Joseph. His youngest brother, Vincent, died as an infant.

As a final gift, Tom donated his brain for research at the Duke/UNC Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, hoping thereby to continue his lifelong service to God and man. His remains are being cremated and will be laid to rest during a private ceremony at Our Lady of Lourdes Columbarium in Raleigh.

A service of Bryan-Lee Funeral Home, Raleigh. Online condolences may be made at www.bryan-leefuneralhome.com