Obituary of Thomas Pratt Jr.

On Wednesday, April 15, 2020, God in His infinite wisdom elevated Thomas Pratt, Jr., to an angel and changed his address. Thomas, known as “Tommy” or “Tom” to family and friends, was a beloved son, husband, brother, father, uncle, grandfather, friend, and colleague to many. Tom was born in Brooklyn, New York on January 30, 1955 to Thomas and Arlene Pratt. A diehard Brooklyn native, he often reminisced about his early years living on Dewey Street with his mom, dad and sister, Cindy. At the age of thirteen, he reclaimed a large fallen tree limb in his family’s yard, which he carved, sanded and shellacked and later carried as his walking stick for the duration of his life. Tom graduated from Boys High in 1973, where he played football and was captain of the golf team. Upon graduating, he obtained a certificate in paralegal studies. He began working as a paralegal at the law offices of Hayt, Hayt and Landau. In the summer of 1989, he began working at the law offices of Kramer, Dillof, Livingston & Moore where he remained employed for over 30 years until his untimely death. As a senior paralegal, he was beyond faithful to his career and colleagues and took great pride in his work. One of the greatest joys of Tom’s life was family. He became the proud father of his “Sweet Baby Girl,” Tara Ann, on October 24, 1985. He later met and married the “Love of his Life", Michelle, on July 8, 1995, with whom he was planning a vow renewal for their 25th wedding anniversary in July 2020. Through his marriage to Michelle, he inherited two children, Roshon and Nicole, and later immensely enjoyed being “Poppy” to their children, Maia, Malia, Micah and Nile. He often joked with and pranked his nieces, Nina, Danielle and Cecilly and grandniece, Jasmin, who sometimes affectionately referred to him as “Bonehead.” Tom was deeply spiritual and always enjoyed life to the fullest. As an expression of his faith, he was baptized and joined Bethel A.M.E. Church of Freeport, NY in February 1995 where he remained a member under the current pastorate of Rev. Stephen M. Lewis. He was a deep lover of music (particularly gospel and jazz), art, and cuisine. In 2009, he joined the Bethel Jubilee Singers of Long Island, a male gospel quartet. He also was an avid collector of art, including over thirty original paintings and a myriad of African masks and sculptures. One of his favorite pastimes was eating his wife’s home cooking in front of their fireplace. He leaves to cherish his memory, his wife Michelle P. Pratt; his parents, Thomas and Arlene Pratt; his children, Tara Ann Pratt, Roshon Cooke (Amalya), Nicole Cooke-Andre (Bernard); his sister, Cynthia Pratt; his nieces, Nina Cherise Lamb-Hill (Gerald), Danielle Martin, Cecilly Ambrose (Nigel), Jasmin Land; his grandchildren, Maia Turman-Cooke, Malia Cooke, Micah Andre, Nile Cooke; his sister-in-law, Kalimah Jenkins (Fatima); his goddaughters, Crystal Robertson, Alexis Gray, and Dymond Hamlin; as well as a host of cousins, in-laws, co-workers, friends, and the Bethel AME Church of Freeport family.