Thomas J. Bardar, 79 of Piscataway, has marched on with the band, passing away peacefully on February 17, 2021. As Tom would say, you might know him as a tall, short guy who looked far from a distance. You probably went to different schools together.

Tom, a lifelong musician and educator, was born and raised in Newark, NJ before moving to Woodbridge as a teenager. After graduating from Woodbridge High School in 1959, he joined the military, attended the Naval School of Music, and was assigned to the Army 8 ^th division in Germany. After returning home, Tom earned bachelor's and master's degrees in music education from Trenton State College.

Tom's love of music began at an early age and continued throughout his entire life. He was a member of Local 373 American Federation of Musicians, and for 33 years, taught high school and middle school music, with positions at Colonia Jr. High School, Woodbridge High School, and Iselin Middle School where he retired in 2000. Tom was honored with the Woodbridge School District's Teacher of the Year award in 1991, selected from over 1,000 district employees. Tom also shared his love for music through private lessons, teaching at both The Perini Music Studio in Somerville and the Allegra School of Music & Arts in Hillsborough, even after his retirement from public school education.

Tom was an avid reader and long-time Mets, Giants, and Knicks fan. He was known for his sense of humor, never missing an opportunity to offer up a groan-worthy "dad joke." He took great pride in his sons and was their biggest fan at every soccer and basketball game they played from early childhood through college and beyond. Tom is pre-deceased by his parents George and Mary Bardar and his sister Elizabeth. He will be missed and remembered by the love of his life, and wife of 49 years, Sandra Helen Kormondy Bardar; his three sons Timothy (Erin), Matthew (Brie Anna), and Daniel (Laura); and seven grandchildren who lovingly knew him as Grandpa/Papi. He will also be greatly missed by his sister Carol Yorkanis and her husband David; sister-in-law Susan Whitenight; nieces Amy Leaman and Joy McGuire; nephews Paul Whitenight, Ke Dao, and Robert Ahrens; and their families.

Funeral services will be private due to COVID restrictions, but the family plans to have a celebration of life in August on what would have been Tom's 80 ^th birthday.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations to Magyar Reformed Church, New Brunswick, NJ ( https://magyarreformedchurch.givingfuel.com/basic ) or that you honor Tom by helping further the music education of a child in any way you can.