Former Bridgewater Officer Dies At 43, Leaves Behind Wife, Kids

BAYVILLE, NJ — Thomas G. Scala, 43, of Bayville, who served several Somerset County law enforcement agencies died on Dec. 26, 2017 at home surrounded by his loving family.

Born in Perth Amboy, he lived in several places before moving to Middlesex Township. He then retired to Bayville several months ago where he loved to fish and take his daughter Bella to the beach.

Scala served his country in the US Coast Guard from 1992 to 1996 and reserves until 2000. He then became a Police Officer first with Wildwood Police Department, then Branchburg Police Department, then Paradise Valley, Arizona Police Department, then Bridgewater Police Department and then High Bridge Police Department before calling Long Hill Police department his home where he served from 2003 to present. He served as Dare Instructor and Civil Dispute Instructor for the department there.

Surviving are his wife Lissethi; his daughter Isabella; two step children, Alejandra and Lorena Chiribao; three siblings, Richard Scala and his wife Ann, Diane Scala and Michelle Jeffery and her husband Jeff; seven nieces and nephews, Samantha, Daniel, Hayley, Matthew, Myles, Tyler and Adalynn; his parents-in-law, Maria and Jaime Pizarro. His sisters and brothers-in-law, Ingrid Pizarro, Carolyn Pizarro, Jonathan Pizarro and Christian Pizarro; his aunt Nancy Makar and his uncle Stephen Makar; and his pet Mikey whom stayed at his bedside.

A Memorial Gathering for family and friends will be offered on Friday, Dec. 29, from 6 to 9 p.m., with a Prayer Service at 8:30 p.m., in the Mastapeter Funeral Home, 270 Atlantic City Blvd., Bayville. Cremation will be private.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Bella’s college fund.

(Image via obittree.com)

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