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He leaves behind a legacy of creativity and humor, the power of forgiveness and peace, and family who will carry his essence forward in his memory.

Thomas Hayden Brook III, passed away suddenly on August 25, 2026, in Villas, New Jersey; following a deeply peaceful few days filled with beautiful memories, laughter, and quailty time spent alongside beloved family and his partner. He was born on February 27,1954, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Tom, also known lovingly as 'Pop', and 'Poppop'; will be remembered with deep love by those closest to him. He is survived by his loving partner, Nancy Murphy; his daughter, Melissa Lis (Stephen), his sons, Thomas Brook (Emily), and Kevin Brook. He also leaves behind five cherished grandchildren, Eleanor, Joseph, Gregory, Saoirse, and Maeve, who were a treasured part of his family circle. He is also survived by his sister, Sandra Librae (Michael), and brothers Robert Brook (Merle) and William Brook (Nancy). He was preceded in death by his father, Thomas Hayden Brook Jr., and his mother, Helen Willeta (Craig) Brook.

A proud veteran, Tom served his country in the U.S. Army as a military photographer from 1972-1975, capturing history through his lens. His passion for visual storytelling led him home to the Philadelphia area, where he graduated from Bucks County Community College. He entered the advertising world and eventually launched his own venture, Brook Advertising. As the digital age progressed quickly, he pivoted and went on to maintain a career in advertising sales prior to his retirement.

Beyond his professional life, Tom was a fixture on the local sports fields, passionately coaching travel soccer teams over many years and instilling a lifelong love of "the beautiful game" in his sons. He was an avid fisherman who was equally at home casting a line for trout in quiet streams or the Florida canals as well as fishing in the ocean and back bays of New Jersey.

In this later chapter of his life, sobriety led Tom to true peace and happiness. He embraced a laid-back beach lifestyle, alongside Nancy and their cat, Naylaa; spending his winters enjoying the warmth of Florida and his summers breathing in the salt air at Cape May Villas. He filled his days doing what he loved most: fishing, antiquing and yardsale browsing, working on house projects, kayaking, and returning to his roots with stunning nature photography.

Tom was a uniquely talented creative artist who frequently used his quick wit and sharp sense of humor to bring his artwork to life. A devoted music lover, his passion spanned a massive vinyl collection and countless live concerts. He was a proud and loyal supporter of WXPN, a vast wealth of trivia knowledge, and a man blessed with a famously infectious laugh. More than anything, he permanently imprinted his greatest joys onto all of his children: a deep love for sushi and all fresh seafood, soccer, Saturday Night Live, and the magic of live music and standup comedy.

He leaves behind a legacy of creativity and humor, the power of forgiveness and peace, and family who will carry his essence forward in his memory.

Visitation: Wednesday, September 9th, 2026 11:00-11:45 AM at Springhaven Country Club, 600 S Providence Road, Wallingford PA 19086

Celebration of Life Memorial: 11:45 AM followed by a luncheon for family and friends whom are able to attend.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made in Tom's memory to the VA Philadelphia Healthcare system. Contributions can be made online via the VA Philadelphia Donation Portal: https://www.cdceportal.va.gov/donate_online/ or by mail to the Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center, Center for Development & Civic Engagement, 3900 Woodland Avenue, Sixth floor, Room A637, Philadelphia, PA 19104