Mr. Tommy Lail

December 27, 1932 - October 28, 2019

Tommy “Thomas” Lail, age 86 years of Mickleton, went home to be with the Lord on Monday, October 28, 2019 surrounded by his loving family. Tommy was born December 27, 1932 in Troutman, North Carolina and was the son of the late Ralph and Beulah Lail. He was a veteran of the United States Army stationed at Camp Paradise. After his discharge, he found his new home away from home with the Horman family in Thorofare, New Jersey. In 1958, he met his future wife, Doris Armbruster, on a Sunday night at the Sunset Beach Ballroom in Almonesson. He began his first business in construction, got married to Doris, and built their first home in Thorofare. Five years later, Tommy came home to his wife and abruptly told her, “Pack your things, I bought us a farm!” His family moved to the Mickleton farm where he continued to build a successful career in horse racing. Tommy was truly a self-made man. He believed and lived by his philosophy that anything can be accomplished through hard work. This was evident in the numerous lives he touched in his lifetime as an owner of several successful businesses. Tommy had a heart the size of a mountain and was always willing to help anyone, befriending people from all walks of life. He was a faithful and devoted member of St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church, Woodbury, where he served on the church council and the property committee. Recently, he was attending the 8:30 service at the Holy Nativity Lutheran Church in Wenonah. He also served on the board of the Woodstown National Bank and was a member of the Standardbred Breeders and Owners Association. In his free time he enjoyed playing golf with the Mongoose Club, body surfing with his grandchildren in Sea Isle City, and cruising the town in his Lexamino. A wonderful and devoted husband, father, and PaPaw, Tommy will forever be remembered by his beloved wife of 58 years, Doris Lail (nee Armbruster) of Mickleton; his children, Tom Lail and Linda Mowbray of Repaupo, Diane (Lail) and Tom Contarino, Mark and Karin Lail, Troy and Sharon Lail, and Joel and Patti Lail, all of the “Lail Compound” in Mickleton; his grandchildren, Thomas, Michael, Lindsay, Kristina, Christopher, Jessica, Gabrielle, Ashlee, Troy, Megan and Erin; his brother, Bobby Lail of Troutman, North Carolina and numerous nieces and nephews. Tommy was predeceased by 4 brothers and 2 sisters. Grateful for his blessings, Tommy never failed to always remind his family how blessed they all were to have each other and be so close together. The Funeral Service will be held at 11 AM Saturday, November 2, 2019 at St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church, 230 N. Evergreen Avenue, Woodbury. Relatives and friends may visit with the family Saturday morning in the church beginning at 8:30 AM until service time. Interment will be at Eglington Cemetery, Clarksboro. Arrangements by McBride – Foley Funeral Home, Paulsboro. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in memory of Tommy Lail to St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church, Woodbury, NJ 08096 or to a charity of your choice. Memories can be shared at www.mcbridefoleyfh.com.