By Joseph A. Lypowy

1988 Photo of Blomquist giving victory sign on election night after George Bush Sr. and Brick Change of Government election victories. - Photo by Joseph A. Lypowy Copyright 1988

   This week the Citizens of New Jersey and Ocean County have lost a great leader in the passing away of Tom Blomquist of Bricktown. Tom Blomquist will be mainly remembered as the pioneer founder of the New Jersey Conservative Party but he had many other accomplishments. I originally met Tom back in the late 1980’s while being President of the Dover Twp. Young Republican Club and VP of the Ocean County YR’s. At the time Tom was the Executive Director of the Ocean County Republican Organization and was instrumental in restoring the form of government in Bricktown and helping to resurrect the Ocean County YR’s. Tom was a very tenacious leader and an extremely hard worker. I remember when Tom ran against then NJ Senate Leader John Russo, Sr. and came very close to winning. That summer Tom had personally knocked on 10,000 doors and wore out three pair of shoes doing it.

I lost touch with Tom about fifteen or so years ago when he left the GOP to create the NJ Conservative Party. At the time I could not understand why he had left the GOP but today I understand the motivation for his actions. Recently I found out the Tom was sick and I had hoped to see him before his demise. If there was a role model for what a great American should be , Tom Blomquist would be an example. Regardless of ones political viewpoint, I don’t think that anyone can deny that Tom Blomquist was a great community leader and an American Patriot.