Obituary of Thomas Louis Francess

On February 3rd, surrounded by his loved ones, Tom Francess reunited with his Heavenly Father and familiar faces that were waiting to welcome him. The air was filled with a mixture of sorrow and gratitude, as we mourned the loss of someone so dear, yet celebrated the profound imprint he had left on our hearts.

Born on November 4th, 1948, in Queens NY, Tom was the son of Louis and Ann. He grew up in a loving family alongside his siblings Marylou, Richie, and Marilyn.  His parents’ values of kindness and compassion were instilled in him at a young age.

Tom pursued his education at Suffolk County Community College then Hofstra University where he joined the fraternity, Gamma Delta Xi, meeting his lifelong friend Stu Raskin.  Tom & his cousin Bill then opened Ambo Business Furniture, a flourishing Herman Miller dealership in Deer Park, LI.  He embarked on a successful career in commercial contract furniture sales with the industry giants Haworth NY (1979 to 1986), American Seating (1986 to 1990), Herman Miller (1990 to 1994) and then on to dealer sales with Tobron Office Furniture in NYC (1994 to 2012).  He finished his career at The Telcar Group in Holbrook, LI (2012 to 2023).  He was known for his hard work, and unwavering commitment to excellence.  His contributions to contract sales were highly regarded and left a lasting impact on his colleagues, customers, and the industry. 

Tom had a deep love for his friends and family, cherishing the moments spent together.  He was always eager to create lasting memories with his loved ones. He was a devoted husband, father, brother, uncle, cousin, and friend, always ensuring that those around him felt loved and supported.

Tom survived by his wife Jean of 47 years.  They met while he instructed a Dale Carnegie course in October 1976, they were engaged by February 1977 and married September of the same year.  They enjoyed traveling with friends and family and creating special memories with their two children, Michael and Ryan.  During the last 6 months of Tom’s life, Jean took an early retirement and became vigilant, ensuring his medications were taken on time, carefully monitoring his health and alerting doctors when needed.  She became his advocate and his voice, when he struggled to express his needs, making sure he received the best possible care available.

He was very proud of his boys and his wisdom and guidance laid the foundation for their success and happiness.  He imbued in his children the importance of honesty, integrity, and hard work. His lessons and values will continue to guide them as they navigate through life.

In his free time, Tom found joy in nature, gardening, going to the beach, museums & exhibits, family bowling, photography, and practicing his faith.

His wife, along with his sons and “daughters” Sara and Kinza stood unwaveringly by his side and became his pillar of strength and his source of comfort during his final months.  His kindness, generosity, and love will continue to inspire us.  Though we mourn his passing, we take solace in the beautiful memories we shared and the impact he had on each of us.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Tom’s memory to VNS Hospice House at -

Giving - Visiting Nurses & Hospice Care | Northport, NY (visitingnurseservice.org)