Former Toms River Mayor Thomas Kelaher Mourned

TOMS RIVER, NJ — Thomas F. Kelaher, who served as mayor of Toms River for 12 years and was the Ocean County prosecutor for five years, has died. He was 88.

“Toms River has lost a pillar of our community with the passing of Mayor Thomas Kelaher,” Mayor Maurice Hill said of Kelaher, whose death was first reported by Jersey Shore Online. Hill said flags will be flown at half-staff at all municipal buildings in Kelaher’s honor.

He was sworn in as Toms River’s second directly elected mayor on Jan. 1, 2008, and won re-election to two more terms before deciding not to seek re-election in 2019.

Prior to that, Kelaher served as the Ocean County prosecutor for a five-year term before stepping down in June 2007.

Kelaher’s biography on the Toms River Township website notes he graduated from St. Peter’s Prep, and received a bachelor’s degree in business administration from St. Peter’s College in Jersey City. He earned his law degree from Seton Hall University School of Law in 1960, and practiced law in Toms River for 60 years. He was senior partner in the firm of Kelaher, Garvey, Ballou, Van Dyke and Rogalski.

In addition to his service as Ocean County prosecutor, Kelaher was appointed a deputy Attorney General of New Jersey by Gov. Richard J. Hughes in 1963 and later appointed as the Assistant Ocean County Prosecutor from 1969 to 1974. Kelaher also served as municipal prosecutor for Toms River, Jackson, Seaside Park and Seaside Heights and Point Pleasant. He lectured on criminal law at the Ocean County Police Academy and served as the Ocean County Jail Study Commission Chairman.

Kelaher was proud of his 28 years of service in the U.S. Marine Corps, where he retired in 1979 as a lieutenant colonel. He enlisted in 1951 while he was in college and served as commanding officer of the Anti-Tank Company of the 5th Marine Regiment. He later was named executive officer of the Marine barracks at Lakehurst Naval Air Station. Upon release from active duty, he was assigned to the Marine Corps Reserves.

He was served on the board of trustees of Community Medical Center for 25 years, including its transition to becoming part of the RWJ Barnabas Healthcare network, and supported numerous charities in the community.

Kelaher was an active parishioner at St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church and served as a lector, Eucharistic minister and trustee.

“He has left a lasting legacy for our community and his family,” Hill said. “On behalf of all the residents of Toms River we extend our deepest sympathies and condolences to the Kelaher family."

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