Thomas J. Rybicki, 53; Haddonfield firm prepared autos for sale
Thomas J. Rybicki, 53, of Haddonfield, owner of a firm that cleans interiors and exteriors of cars before they are sold, died of colon cancer Sunday, Oct. 30, at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital.
Thomas J. Rybicki, 53, of Haddonfield, owner of a firm that cleans interiors and exteriors of cars before they are sold, died of colon cancer Sunday, Oct. 30, at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital.
Born in South Philadelphia, Mr. Rybicki grew up near 10th and McKean Streets and graduated in 1981 from what is now St. John Neumann and Maria Goretti Catholic High School.
During his school years, he played drums in a four-piece rock band "with friends up the street from us," said his sister, Idamarie Gagliardi.
Into the 1980s, he then played more professionally with groups in New Jersey nightspots.
In 1982, in the garage of his family home, he began the firm that is now Tommie's Auto Detailing in Haddonfield.
Under the name Tomari Inc., his sister said, the detailing firm "has employees working in car dealerships in Delaware, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, washing, vacuuming, preparing the cars for sale."
Lee Pease, the firm's controller, said in a separate interview that new and used-car dealerships use the firm's workers, especially on trade-ins, "restoring the car to its original finish, outside as well as inside."
A near neighbor of Mr. Rybicki for the last 25 years, Pease said he "used to tell me, 'Detailing is hard work, it's messy work, but above all it still has to be fun.' "
A member of the Tavistock Country Club, Mr. Rybicki golfed and played tennis. At home, his sister said, he played volleyball and horseshoes with his neighbors.
Limited after being diagnosed with cancer in 2007, she said, he became an excellent poker player.
Besides his sister, Mr. Rybicki is survived by his mother, Beatrice, and three brothers. His wife, Maria, died in 2014.
A visitation was set from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. Friday, Nov. 4, at Kain-Murphy Funeral Services, 15 West End Ave., Haddonfield, before a Funeral Mass at 11 a.m. at Christ the King Church, 200 Windsor Ave., Haddonfield, with interment in Haddonfield Baptist Cemetery.
Donations may be sent to Dr. Edith Mitchell Colon Cancer Research, Suite 502, 233 S. 10th St., Philadelphia 19107.
Condolences may be offered to the family at kainmurphy.com.
610-313-8134@WNaedele