Thomas Whalen Panico, age 88, of West Caldwell, entered eternal rest on Easter Sunday, April 9th, 2023, to go and be with God, after succumbing to complications from dementia.
The family will receive friends and relatives on Monday April 24th from 4-8pm at Caggiano Memorial, 62 Grove St, Montclair.
Tom was born in Bloomfield, NJ, which is where he also attended high school and excelled as an athlete in football and baseball for the Bloomfield Bengals, a mascot name which would later serve as inspiration for the catchy name of his future businesses. Tom furthered his education at Florida Southern College, where he played catcher for the baseball team, and then served for the United States Army, where he was honorably discharged as a proud veteran after his service to his country.
Tom eventually married and moved to West Caldwell, which is where he began his career and upmost commitment to raising a family. His gift in life was that of entrepreneurship, leadership, ambition, and most importantly, service to and for others. Tom absolutely loved doing favors and helping people in the ways he knew for those he could. He was special that way and touched the hearts of so many people who knew him with his contagious positive energy, attitude, and spirit.
Tom was responsible for employing hundreds of people over the course of his career through his various businesses. A true testament to not only his success as an entrepreneur, but to his goodness as a person by providing so much opportunity and work for others.
Those being...Tiger Building Materials, Tiger Racquet Club, The beloved classic Italian Cage Restaurant, Tigers Eye Boutique, The highly acclaimed, energetic Mezzanotte Restaurant, Midnights Cafe, & Colors Italian Style Chophouse.
His fearless ambition, vision, and dedication to his career contributed to an overwhelming amount of success for him and his fortunate family, but also created special memories for those that not only helped him in his endeavors, but also for his customers that were fortunate to dine at the restaurants, play tennis at the iconic Tiger racquet club, exercise at the Tiger fitness center, or purchase supplies from the legendary Tiger Building Materials, a highly regarded successful enterprise created by Tom and his business partner, Tony 'Tiger' Conte, the other quintessential half of the Tiger brand.
Tom was also a devoted religious follower of the Catholic Church where he attended mass weekly at Notre Dame Parish in North Caldwell, which is also where his 4 children received their elementary education. His dedication to God and the church was a constant priority in his life.
Tom's hobbies included tennis, where he had the luxury of playing at his actual club, golf, where he enjoyed his time with friends from his membership at Essex County Country Club, skiing, where he first taught his kids to ski at Great Gorge Ski Resort, and of course dining, his most beloved passion of all, sought after through many wonderful meals and experiences at all the great restaurants!
Tom is survived by his brother, Jack, four children, Thomas Whalen Panico Jr and wife Barbara, Todd Robert Panico and wife Karen Ann, Timothy Scott Panico, and Tricia Ann Castellano and husband Ray, and his seven grandchildren, Jennifer and fiancé Adam Duignan, Thomas III, Tyler, Nicholas, Kelsey, John, and Dylan. Additionally, his nieces and nephews, whom both loved and admired Tom, will miss him dearly for the impact he had on their lives.
You can finally rest in peace now Tom...you certainly earned it...and you deserve it.
Go with God and reunite with your father, Frank, mother, Marie, sister, Caraleen, and brother, Gerald 'Scrappy', and with all your loved ones and friends that passed before you.
Thank you for everything Dad...you provided an amazing childhood for us that we are eternally grateful for, and lucky to have had as your children.
We love you...you were a very special man.
We will one day see you again on the other side...


In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to Alzheimer's of NJ, 425 Eagle Rock Ave, Suite 203, Roseland NJ, 07068