Funeral Services for Ex-Cinnaminson Cop Begin Sunday

Funeral services for a former Cinnaminson Police detective sergeant with 29 years on the force begin Sunday evening.

Thomas G. Lillagore Sr. died Jan. 16 in Florida. At the time of his death, he was an Edgewater Park resident, according to an obituary posted on Life Celebration.

Lillagore joined the in 1969, and was promoted to detective in 1974 and detective sergeant in 1994. He left the department in 1998.

The obituary describes Lillagore as an avid hunter and fisherman and member of the Riverside VFW Post 3020, Beverly American Legion, PBA Local 137 and Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #2.

Mourners may pay their respects on Sunday, Jan. 22 from 3 to 7 p.m. and Monday, Jan. 23 from 9:30 to 11 a.m. at , 1200 Route 130 North. A funeral service follows Monday with internment at Lakeview Memorial Park.

The full obituary posted at Life Celebration reads:

Thomas G. Lillagore, Sr. of Edgewater Park passed away unexpectedly on January 16, 2012 while vacationing in Ft. Lauderdale Florida. He was 72 yrs old. Beloved husband of Susan (nee Koehn). Loving father of Tom Lillagore Jr. (Lee Ann), Walter R. Schenberger (Takako), Mark A. Schenberger (Kelly). Son of Katherine and the late Francis C. Lillagore. Brother of Francis C. Lillagore, Jr.(Lois), Joan Lillagore (John McDonough), Peggy (Bob) Rosenthal. Grandfather of Joshua, Jesseca, and Jordan Lillagore; Tiffany, Courtney, Stephanie, and Melanie Schenberger; Mark Schenberger, Jr.

Tom grew up in Maple Shade and was a graduate of Moorestown High School class of 1959. He went on to serve in the US Navy aboard the USS Shangri-La from 1960-1964. When Tom got out of the Navy he tried several jobs until he found his true calling. In 1967 Tom joined the Maple Shade Police department. After two years with Maple Shade, Tom joined Cinnaminson Police department in 1969. He was promoted to Detective in 1974 and Detective Sergeant in 1994 and retired from Cinnaminson in 1998. Not being one to sit around in retirement, Tom decided to continue serving in public safety and went to work for the Delran Emergency Squad as an EMT for the last 14 years. He was also still a part-time police officer for the Burlington County Bridge Commission Police for the last 8 years. Tom truly loved serving the public and did so until the day he passed. He will truly be missed by his brothers and sisters in the police/EMS/fire community.

In his spare time, Tom was an avid hunter and fisherman. He loved the outdoors and was an active member of the Janvier Deer Club and NJ State Federation of Sportsmen. He was a member of Riverside VFW post 3020 and Beverly American Legion. He was also a member of PBA Local 137 and Honorary Member of FOP Lodge #2.

Relative and friends are invited to attend Tom's Life Celebration and pay last respects on Sunday, January 22, 2012, 3PM-7PM and Monday, January 23, 2012, 9:30 - 11 A.M. at Snover/Givnish of Cinnaminson 1200 Route 130 North. His Funeral Service will follow 11 a.m. Monday. Internment, with Military Honors, at Lakeview Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, friends are asked to kindly make a monetary donation in Tom's name to on line www.officerdownnj.org or Officer Down, NJ P.O. Box 552 Mount Laurel, NJ 08054

If you wish to share your fondest memories of Tom, please visit www.lifecelebration.com.