About Tom Gargiulo

Tom Gargiulo is a candidate for Babylon Town Councilman.

For more than 49 years Gargiulo has been a resident of the town. He currently resides in Babylon Village with his wife Jeanne and his three sons: Ryan, Thomas and Sean. Gargiulo has dedicated his life to service, spending 29 years as a high school special education teacher at Eastern Suffolk Boces. He is also one of the founders of the Msgr. Thomas Hartman Foundation for Parkinson's Research, is an American Red Cross Volunteer and is the long-time director of Hofstra University's Basketball Camp. He also serves as a member of the Knight of Columbus, Sons of Italy in America, Ancient Order of Hibernians and St. Joseph's Parish.

Jeanne's story:

I have been married to Tom Gargiulo for twenty-seven years.

In the summer of 1982, I volunteered for Our Lady of Perpetual Help to run a concession stand for a fundraiser. The event was held in Fireman's park in Lindenhurst. During the event I met Tom, who was volunteering as a security guard. My initial impression of Tom was that he was a very honest and caring man, who seemed like a lot of fun. We dated for one year and in 1983, Tom proposed marriage to me in the very same park.

Tom grew up in Lindenhurst, where he resided with his parents, his mother Joan, his father Andrew and his sister Carolyn. Tom has always been close with his parents and his family. Andrew is a retired city fireman and is now Deacon who works as the chaplain for St. Charles Cemetery. Tom's parents, his sister, his nieces, cousins, uncles and aunts continue to live in the Town of Babylon. My whole family is also here on Long Island so we never have to travel far to spend time with the people we love.

Tom graduated from Dowling College with his degree in Special Education. Initially, he was making $40.00 per day and did catering to supplement our income; I was working as a Register Nurse. We were thrilled when Tom was asked to work as a Special Education Teacher for Western Suffolk B.O.C.E.S. Working with adolescents that had emotional disturbances is a challenge but, Tom loved his job. I was afraid that he would get hurt because many of his students belong to some of the worst gangs on Long Island, but Tom has a way about himself. He relates to people very well and his genuine caring demeanor is very evident. He formulated a work-study program for the students where they would get skills and references. It is a very successful program that continues today.

In 1988 our twin boys, Tommy and Ryan were born eight weeks early and that is when our life really changed. Being premature made them at risk for many problems. They were on respirators, received blood transfusions along a host of other medical interventions. The twins came home to our home in Babylon after 8 weeks of being hospitalized. We were exhausted mentally and physically but, were elated to have them home. One week after being home our son, Tom, stopped breathing and was rushed back to the hospital to get more blood. He came home and the doctors thought that both boys would benefit from wearing apnea monitors. The monitors were hooked up to their chest and in the event of cessation in breathing, an alarm would sound. Needless to say, the boys did amazingly well and continued to thrive. Today Ryan and Tommy are twenty-three years old, are strong and healthy and doing very well.

Our third son, Sean, was born in March 1990. My husband was so excited. He always wanted his own team and that is just what we had. Tom being a college basketball player, as well as a coach, knew that sports help to build character, give a sense of responsibility and teach the importance of working with others. Tom had our boys participate in every sport you could imagine. Tom also coached our boys, as well as the neighborhood boys, in every sport. He coached them in AAU Basketball tournaments, which made us frequent travelers. All I can say is thank God for vans! We would take our boys and many of our boys' friends that were on the team and as they would pile out of the van it reminded me of a circus van where people would never stop coming out.

Tom retuned to Dowling College where he received his Business Administration Degree. He uses his skills to help with the formation and delivery of the Christa House, which is a house for the dying poor, and the Thomas Hartman Parkinson's Research Foundation. Today, Tom also sits on a board for the cure to Diabetes. Tom has always been a proponent in giving back, whether it is in our home, school, church, community or on a national level.

Tom encouraged me to go back to school, which I did and I received my Nurse Practitioner degree in 1999. Only Tom and God knows how I did that with eleven year old twins and another 9 year old son. If it wasn't for Tom and all his love, support and encouragement it would never have been possible.

In 2008, our home in Babylon was destroyed by a house fire. For the next 9 months, all five of us, two cats and one dog lived in a trailer on our front lawn. Talking about being close with your family. That is a whole another chapter. Let's just say we grew together and learned a lot about each other.

Through the years, Tom and I have volunteered for the American Red Cross, where we teach Adult CPR and use of the Automatic External defibrillator. Tom and I also teach Pre-Cana for St. Joseph's church in Babylon. Tom has been a CYO coach as well as coached many other sports both for the community and private sector. Tom volunteered in many community events and when he commits to something he gives it his all. He is the man you call when you need a helping hand or when you need a job done. Tom knows how to orchestrate any event to make it a success. Tom and I continue to reside in Babylon, with our sons Ryan, Tommy and Sean. Our family is maturing and I am proud to say that all of our boys have many of the same genuine qualities as my husband Tom. Our son Sean is a senior at King's Point Merchant Marine Academy, Tommy graduated from Farmingdale with his bachelor's degree in Business and has past the Series 7 test and Ryan, a former restaurant owner is waiting to take the Firemen's test. I am perusing my PHD degree in Nursing.

Tom and I each grew up in a very loving home and I am proud to say that our house too, is truly a home. Tom and I have always encouraged our sons' friends to join us. We believe in an open house and that there is always room at the table for one more. I consider myself and our family blessed to have Tom in our lives. My initial impression of Tom was correct. He is a very honest and caring man, who is a lot fun. Sometimes he makes us laugh so hard that I think our cheeks are going to fall off. There could be no better man. I love him for all of the care, love and support he has given to us and so many other people through the years. I love him for being the role model he is and for being one of those people that do make a difference in other people's lives. Tom is my friend, who I and others can rely on. He is there in difficult times as well as the best of times. He can make you laugh and he can dry away your tears. He is more precious than you can ever imagine. He makes all who know him proud. He has changed so many of our lives in such profound ways.

Tom has taken the opportunity to run for Town of Babylon Council. It comes as no surprise that if elected, Tom has vowed to give 20 percent of his councilman salary back, to cater to the needs of senior citizens and youth in our community. That is my husband, someone who will go the extra mile and work harder than anyone to give to the people that need help.

We need a new direction in government. We need someone who cares about others, someone who knows how to make connections and get the job done. We need someone who wants to give back to the community, someone who is a genuine person and has family values and who will take the time to figure out what is wrong and how to fix it. So, I ask you, to please vote on Tuesday November 8. Vote row "B" or "C" for my husband, Tom Gargiulo. Vote for the man who wants to create a better place for those of us who live here now and for our children who will live in the Town of Babylon in the future.

More about Tom Gargiulo:

• Tom Gargiulo on Facebook
• West Babylon Eagle Scout receives award
• Tom Gargiulo Remembering 9/11
• King speaks at GOP event
• Bethpage's Gargiulo gets his 250th win
• Senator Owen Johnson congratulates Coach Gargiulo of Babylon
• Parkinson Foundation fundraiser held at Huntington Town House
• Local coach Tom Gargiulo to be featured on Telicare network