Thomas M. Roland, age 92, of Ocean Ridge, Florida, entered the presence of his Lord on December 15, 2019.  Born in Brooklyn, New York, residing in Baldwin, Long Island for 38 years, and Ocean Ridge, Florida for 29 years.

Husband of 65 years to his wife Eleanor H. Roland (nee Hakkerup).  Son of Frances and Joseph Roland.  Brother to Joseph Roland, Jr., Aileen Travers, and Richard Roland of Michigan, all predeceased.   Thomas is survived also by his loving sister in law, Constance Friedrich of Great Barrington, Massachusetts.

Loving father of Thomas M. Roland, Jr., (predeceased) and his wife Mary, and daughters, Jean Elizabeth Callaghan, Kathleen Roland, and Constance Roland and her husband, Craig J. Costanzo, and Richard D. Brower.  He was Grandfather to Catherine Callaghan Rupert and her husband, Ronald, Thomas L. Roland and his wife Carly Roland, Brian D. Callaghan and his wife Stefanie D'Erasmo, Nicholas Roland, Matthew C. Costanzo, and Jack Costanzo; and Great grandfather of Sofia Callaghan, Colette Rupert, Dean Rupert, Dexter Roland, Sawyer Roland, and Wilder Roland.  Beloved uncle of Jean O'Rourke, Barbara Roland, Joseph Roland, Jr., Edward X. Travers, Francine Travers (predeceased), Thomas J. Travers, Carrie Ann Ferry, Claudia Schmitz, Christiana Bunn, Carl Friedrich, Jr., and Catherine Kaderavek, and their spouses and children.

Shortly after the two-year anniversary of the invasion of Pearl Harbor, marking the United States' entry into World War II, and still a teenager, Thomas enlisted in the United States Marine Corps 5th Marine Division Spearhead, on December 13, 1943.  On February 19, 1945, the Spearheads landed in their invasion of the barren yet fortified Japanese island. After 21 days on Iwo Jima, Thomas was wounded, and was evacuated to Guam for surgery of his three gunshot wounds, becoming one of 6,218 Spearheads wounded in action.  In honor of all fallen Marines, Tom remained an active veteran and community volunteer serving in the Wantagh Fire Department,  American Legion Baldwin Post #246, the Sunrise Detachment Marine Corps League, in Massapequa, New York,  and an honored Fourth Degree Knight of the Knights of Columbus, Church of St. Vincent Ferrer, Delray, Florida.   He was proud to be selected participant of the Southwest Florida Chapter of Honor Flight to Washington, DC in 2018.

Upon honorable discharge, Thomas attended Seton Hall College, now University, in South Orange, New Jersey. On January 17, 1951, Thomas entered on duty into the United States Border Patrol in El Paso, Texas.  His Duty Stations included Presidio, Texas and New York City, New York.  In 1959, Thomas transferred to the United States Department of Justice, Immigration and Naturalization Service in Montreal, PQ Canada; a previous law enforcement service now incorporated into the United States Department of Homeland Security.  In 1962, Thomas returned to New York City as Immigration Inspector, Seaport Section, and was promoted to Supervisory II in Inspections at John F. Kennedy International Airport where he remained until retirement as Area Port Director after 37 years of federal law enforcement government service.   His many assignments on numerous occasions included Refugee Officer in Indo-China and Africa, Haitian Migration Interdiction Operation with the United States Coast Guard, and Northern Ireland's Project Children Operation.  After retirement, Tom worked an additional ten years for Masterpiece international helping guide couriers with fine art cargo make it through their official tasks at JFK Airport and transport them to their New York City museum destinations.

While Tom looked back fondly on his many years of work, he also enjoyed the fact that at the age of 92, he had experienced more years of retirement age than years of government service.  Thomas enjoyed his church community, boating, fishing, New York Mets baseball, New York Giants football, the New York Post's daily puzzle, evenings watching the intercostal sunsets with his wife, a lucky seat playing cards twice a week, and reading.  In 2019, Tom celebrated his 65 ^th wedding anniversary with his beloved and adored wife, Eleanor.  He embodied the spirit of his personal creed: Faith Family and Friends. He leaves behind his loving family, great friends and a wonderful Delray, Florida St. Vincent Ferrer church community and Ocean Ridge Crown Colony neighbors who will miss his incredible sense of humor and joy of life.

Family and friends may call on Thursday, December 19, 2019, from 2PM to 4PM, and 6PM to 8PM at the LORNE & SONS FUNERAL HOME, 745 N.E. 6 ^th Avenue, Delray Beach, FL.  A funeral mass will be held on Friday, December 20 ^th at 10AM at St. Vincent Ferrer Catholic Church, 840 George Bush Blvd, Delray Beach, FL.  Burial with military honors will be held on Monday, December 23 ^rd , 2PM in lane 1 at the South Florida National Cemetery, 6501 FL-7, Lake Worth, FL.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations in memory of Thomas to:

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital (Click here to make a donation.)

Hospice Care (Click here to make a donation.)