Obituary -
Thomas Martin Potter, 73, passed away peacefully on January 18, 2020 surrounded by family at Southside Hospital of Bayshore, NY.
Mr. Potter was born October 3, 1946 (also at Southside Hospital) to Maria and John V. Potter, Sr. He was known to his family and friends as Tom. Tom grew up in East Islip, NY and was a lifelong resident of the area. He attended St. Mary’s School in East Islip and Seton Hall High School in Patchogue. After completing his undergraduate degree in 1968 at Niagara University, Tom returned to the area to teach science at Central Islip High School. He also worked at his father’s business, John V. Potter Real Estate and Insurance. Tom started his family here in the 1970s and lived in Great River and East Islip for the rest of his life. Upon leaving teaching in 1978, Tom joined the John V. Potter Real Estate office full time and was the owner of the business from the early 1990s through the present, helping thousands of families find their new homes. In addition to being a father, grandfather, and local business owner, another role Tom cherished was that of firefighter. He volunteered at the Great River Fire Department for more than 40 years, serving as Chief and Treasurer at various times.
Tom Potter was the beloved father of Susan C. Potter and Jeanne M. Gregory and her husband Max; cherished grandfather of Rowan and Amber; former husband of Marge Potter; dear brother of Frank Potter and his late wife Linda, the late John V. Potter, Jr., and the late Barbara Ann Westby and her husband Thomas.
