Thomas W. Wallace, Jr., (in actuality, Tom III; the designation Jr. is a birth certificate error), came into the world at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on December 5, 1908.
The son of a plumber, he has endeared himself to the Cumberland County community and built a reputation as an honest, hardworking and charitable businessman. His generosity and customer-oriented service have won him much praise from the citizenry of his hometown of Vineland, New Jersey. He is renowned as one of Cumberland County's foremost philanthropists.
Tom Wallace was able to identify the secret to his success very easily-- IT'S HARD WORK! Through his eighties, he still maintained an aggressive work schedule and his position as patriarch of the Wallace clan.
Tom's father was a diligent worker. As a plumber, he earned a secure living for his family. But Wallace Supply and the successful wholesale venture began in 1930 when Tom Jr. joined in partnership with his father.
Tom Jr. had already established himself as a young man dedicated to a strong work ethic before 1929. At 14, he secured a job at Kimble Glass, and by age 20, he was a manager at an American store.
In spite of the business gloom and tough times that were characteristic of the Great Depression era, Tom Jr. was able to overcome all the odds and worked hard to build Wallace Plumbing Supply into major business force in the City of Vineland and South Jersey. He was a self-made man, the American entrepreneur in the truest sense.
In 1966, Wallace Supply was featured in the "Wholesaler", a major trade publication of the plumbing, heating, and air conditioning industries. Today, Wallace had three stores in South Jersey--- one in Vineland, one in Bridgeton and another in Penns Grove. At the time of his death in 1991, he was proud of the fact that his business was still thriving and continued to be family-owned and operated.
Tom Jr. broadened his business scope and activity. He became a developer and built the first WaWa convenience store in New Jersey. His will to survive and his investment instincts amazed his friends and earned the respect of his competitors.
His savvy as a manager has been recognized by political and business leaders alike. His style has been called gentle, but firm.
He's was a major force in the banking community. Tom Jr. had served on the Board of Directors of Fidelity Building and Loan, Vineland Savings and Loan, Century Federal Savings and Loan, and he was a founder and director of Citizens United Bank.
He served as a director of the local Chamber of Commerce many times and, in 1972, was selected by his peers as Vineland's "Man of the Year".
Upon receiving this prestigious award, Wallace recalled that he had turned down an earlier offer by a friend, Murray Sternberg, to put Tom Jr. in for the nomination. When his good friend suggested that Tom was the perfect candidate for "Man of the Year", Wallace quipped: "Murray, I'd rather wonder why I didn't get it than wonder why I did."
Wallace was selected by former Vineland Mayor Henry "Bub" Garton to head Vineland's Redevelopment Agency in the 1960s.
His charitable works are many and far reaching. He has had a tremendous impact on the city he loved and Cumberland County.
Tom Wallace had been honored for his warmth and service by Deborah Hospital, Newcomb Hospital--where he served as a member of the Board of Trustees, the American Red Cross, the Cumberland County 4-H, the Colts and Fillies Scholarship Fund, the Boy Scouts of America, the Salvation Army, the YMCA, the Knights of Columbus, the V.F.W., the American Legion, Semper Marine Detachment of Vineland--where he was a lifetime member and recipient of the Distinguished and Meritorious service awards, the Eagles--who presented him with their civic award, the Cumberland County Fuel Dealers Association, Chamber of Commerce, Southern New Jersey Development Council, Oil Heat Council of New Jersey, Jaycees, Vineland Riding Club, American Judicature Society, New Jersey Association of School Administrators, Vineland State Training School Outstanding Volunteer, Diamond Social Club, the Committee of Fifty--where he served as Treasurer, the State of Israel Bonds, Cumberland County College, Vineland Rotary Club, Mission Teens, and the Cumberland County Sheriff's Department. He was also honored posthumously by the South Jersey Economic Development Council.
His civic accomplishments were a tribute to a man who had devoted much of his personal time to so many worthy projects in his community.
In the political arena, he served a term as treasurer of the Vineland Republican Organization. In 1980, he was selected as an official member of the United States Electoral College and Tom Jr. was proud to cast his ballot for President Ronald Reagan and Vice President George Bush. He attended the Inauguration of President Reagan in 1981, by special invitation, and has hosted two governors of the State of New Jersey--Richard Hughes and Thomas Kean--at his home in Vineland.
Tom Wallace Jr. was a Christian man who read the Bible for inspiration and advice. He had contributed greatly to the religious community and was a major benefactor for the Mt. Pizgah U.A.M.E. Church building. In his own congregation, the Trinity Episcopal Church, he served as senior warden. Tom has also given generously to the St. Isidore's R.C. Church, the St. Mary's R.C. Church, and the Sacred Heart Church, and was honored by Beth Israel Congregation at their 20th anniversary celebration.
Tom Wallace was a successful businessman and community leader, but he always found time for his family. On March 5, 1954, Tom Jr. took as his wife the charming Gertrude Watson of Glassboro, New Jersey, who remained by his side for 37 years, and has assumed his mantle of President of Wallace Supply Co. and Bridgeton Plumbing and Heating Supply Co. His legacy includes four proud and devoted children--Tom IV, George Noble, Bryan Alan, and Deborah, as well as six grandchildren.
Tom Wallace Jr., and the company he had nurtured since infancy, stand as a strong symbol of the virtues of hard work, dedication and civic pride. For over 60 years, Tom Jr. and Wallace Supply brought quality and integrity to Vineland and the South Jersey area, and the example he established has seen his business through to this their 75th year of service to southern New Jersey.