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Rainy Day Blues

With a sad and heavy heart we share news on the passing of Thomas Deacon.

Tom was a great man, a US Navy Veteran and a passionate outdoorsman. Tom will be deeply missed but not forgotten.

I remember growing up in the shop, Tom was always around. Helping out, sharing intel and offering homemade food. He was a great cook with a love for spice. His chili was off the charts! Tom was a great friend to me and all of the crew at the shop. For many years living only two blocks away, he spent a lot of time with us. We could have been called Tom’s second home.

Shop alumni Jimmy Sahlender was a very close friend of Tom. Jimmy said, “Tom was short, on the chubby side and had a mustache. When he dressed up he wore a cowboy hat. When wetsuiting the Bar plugging he’d hook up and yell “frackin’ stripes” in Yosemite Sam’s voice. Good Times… Tom Deacon will be forever missed.”

Tom was one hell of a fisherman, an expert freshwater and saltwater angler. He was dialed in with big fish on lures everywhere he went. Thanks Tom for teaching me the finer points of fishing with lures, jigs and softbaits! His application specific rigging and fishing techniques were mastered on the fresh water tournament bass fishing circuit and utilized to out fish in saltwater.

Working for many years at the Forked River Power Plant, Tom was a master of The Creek. One of its pioneers, he fished it long before it became the booming popular fishing spot it is today. Back in the good old days, his special access gave him the ability to fish behind the gates. The stories he shared about fishing the restricted area were epic!

I’ll always remember Tom’s diesel truck with the dressed up custom Yosemite Sam artwork mud flaps and hood guard. Every time I see the Looney Tunes character I’m reminded of Tom. I’ve yet to meet a fisherman better than Tom that can compete with that mustache. I doubt I ever will.

My condolences to all his friends and family.

As per the Press Of Atlantic City’s Obituaries, Tom’s services will be announced at a later date.

FishHead.Greg

Author: FishHead.Greg

Born, raised and living in Ship Bottom at the heart of Long Beach Island, Greg's surrounded by the Barnegat Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. Greg is an accomplished angler with great knowledge of saltwater fishing from the light tackle back waters to the surf and jetty as well as inshore and offshore big game fishing. Whether you are new to fishing or new to Long Beach Island, Greg wants to help. Questions about knot tying, fishing rods and reels, problems, techniques, locations? Just ask. Stop by Fisherman's Headquarters and say hello.

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