Thomas J. Best

Thomas J. Best, age 83 years, of Raritan Township, died on Monday, March 14, 2005, at his residence.

Born in Elizabeth, NJ, August 22, 1921, he was the son of the late Thomas and Leena Purdy Best. He had formerly resided in Clark, NJ, before moving to Raritan Township nine years ago.

Mr. Best, with a partner, owned and operated the Eckbe Upholstery Shop, Cranford, NJ, for forty years, retiring in 1987. He was a United States Army Air Corps veteran of World War II.

Mr. Best was a past master of Essex Lodge F&AM, a member of the Azure Masada Lodge 22, Cranford, NJ, and a member of American Legion Post #159, Flemington, NJ.

Mr. Best is survived by his wife of 58 years, Irma Koos Best; a son, Thomas B. Best of High Bridge, NJ; a daughter, Joan DeCosimo of Warren, NJ; five grandchildren; and two sisters, Mary Eckloff of Kenilworth, NJ, and Leena Thuro of Rahway, NJ.

Funeral Services will be held on Saturday at 10:30 AM in the Holcombe-Fisher Funeral Home, 147 Main Street, Flemington, NJ. Entombment will be private in Somerset Hills Memorial Park Mausoleum, Basking Ridge, NJ. Calling hours will be held on Friday from 2-4 and 7-9 PM in the funeral home.

Memorial contributions, in lieu of flowers, may be made to Hunterdon Hospice, 2100 Wescott Drive, Flemington, NJ 08822.

Please visit www.holcombefisher.com for further information, or to send condolences.