Thomas Franklin Crockett
April 16, 1945 – February 26, 2023
Thomas Franklin “Tom” Crockett, 77, of North Beach passed away February 26, 2023. He was born April 16, 1945 in Washington, D.C. to Gordon F. and Lucille Agnes (Tozzolo) Crockett. Tom was raised in Hyattsville and graduated from Bladensburg High School. After graduating, he moved to North Beach and opened Tans Cycle in his grandfather’s (Tom Tozzolo “Tom the Barber”) garage on 5th Street. He then moved the garage to Chesapeake Avenue in a small building, eventually constructed the building at the corner of 5th Street and Chesapeake Avenue, where he ran Tans: Cycle Parts until 2018. Tom was known for his massive Christmas train display that he put on for 17 years. Generations of families came to the shop to see his huge display of vintage trains, a lot of which he inherited from this grandfather. The train display was such a hit, he expanded to setting up for Easter and Halloween as well. Tom an avid biker from the age of 16 loved riding motorcycles and instituted the Blessing of the Bikes in the beaches and was also part of the team that built a Harley Davidson motorcycle that broke the 200 mph record in 2007, traveling 200.31/7.10 in Daytona, FL. He was also a town councilman in North Beach for many years. Tom truly loved North Beach and was very involved in many things going on in the town. He was also the proud owner/shower of Turkish Anatolian Shepherd dogs.
He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother-in-law, Edward Baergen. Tom is survived by sisters Florence V. Muskus (Eugene) of Bethany Beach, DE, and Marygrace C. Baergen of Harwood, nieces and nephews Nicole C. Baergen, Michael A. Muskus (Meredith), Jennifer L. Smith (Kent) and Christine L. Hallowitz (Cory). Also surviving are great-nieces and nephews Olivia, Isabella, Nicholas, Ava, and Beck.
Visitation
Services
Friday, March 3, 2023
11:00 AM
Interment
Contributions
Condolences
Sort Comments
1 Mar 2023
7:54pm
I worked for Tom for a few years, both on bikes and with the train display. I owe a lot to him as far as mechanical and worldly knowledge and he was always a fair boss. Stern and a cut and dried teacher but very fair. He will definitely be missed!
City
Mechanicsville
State
MD
1 Mar 2023
8:14pm
My sincerest sympathy to Tommy’s family and friends. I was certainly saddened to hear of his passing. He loved North Beach and he will be missed. As I am in Florida, I regret not being able to attend the service.
John J. Scott, Sr.
City
Highland Beach
State
FL
2 Mar 2023
2:31am
My condolences to the family. I knew Tom through the Anatolian Dog Club. He was a HISAR shield awardee (a life time achievement award) and a long time member. Personally, I considered him a friend. Tom was the kinda fellow that would give you the shirt off his back. He will be missed.
City
Welborn
State
Florida
2 Mar 2023
8:33am
Tommy Crockett…
I remember the first time I saw the “shop” on 5th St. Omg, what a dive it was, but then, I was a newbie to North Beach! It looked like a “little shop of horrors'”…that was in 1983 and I never understood the “culture” of the town; until many years later.
Crockett was a genuine and dedicated good man who, as stated in his obituary, loved North Beach.
God bless you, Crockett and may you rest in peace.
City
Berkeley Springs
State
WV
2 Mar 2023
5:01pm
He was a good friend and very talented person .
City
Crownsville
State
Md
3 Mar 2023
5:23pm
My thoughts and prayers are with Tom’s family. The Town of North Beach is a better place because of him. He is and always will be unforgettable.
City
Milford
State
De
3 Mar 2023
10:05pm
Tom, I miss talking to you in the shop. You were a very kind man. May you Rest In Peace my friend.
City
North Beach
State
MD
7 Mar 2023
10:34am
Adieu to the second man I ever loved in my life. A strong, silent man raised between two sisters who did not hear him speak in full sentences until he reached 40! Never could get a word in at family gatherings. A hardworking, good man with many hidden talents. Who knew he could cook? But he came to family dinners with a cheesecake and pie that he had made for the occasion. Not a rich man in money but beyond rich in friends. To me he will always be the Easy Rider riding into the horizon.
City
Harwood
State
MD
17 Mar 2024
5:04pm
sorry, a tad belated… Tom was my best friend in high school. We had girl friends that were best friends too. Many good times! We were the ones who limbed the chimney at BSHS and “graffitied” 64 in silver paint. The military carried me away for many years but we always connected when I was back in town. RIP, Tommy. Laverta’s forever
City
Lummi Island
State
Washington
Sort Comments
I worked for Tom for a few years, both on bikes and with the train display. I owe a lot to him as far as mechanical and worldly knowledge and he was always a fair boss. Stern and a cut and dried teacher but very fair. He will definitely be missed!
My sincerest sympathy to Tommy’s family and friends. I was certainly saddened to hear of his passing. He loved North Beach and he will be missed. As I am in Florida, I regret not being able to attend the service.
John J. Scott, Sr.
My condolences to the family. I knew Tom through the Anatolian Dog Club. He was a HISAR shield awardee (a life time achievement award) and a long time member. Personally, I considered him a friend. Tom was the kinda fellow that would give you the shirt off his back. He will be missed.
Tommy Crockett…
I remember the first time I saw the “shop” on 5th St. Omg, what a dive it was, but then, I was a newbie to North Beach! It looked like a “little shop of horrors'”…that was in 1983 and I never understood the “culture” of the town; until many years later.
Crockett was a genuine and dedicated good man who, as stated in his obituary, loved North Beach.
God bless you, Crockett and may you rest in peace.
He was a good friend and very talented person .
My thoughts and prayers are with Tom’s family. The Town of North Beach is a better place because of him. He is and always will be unforgettable.
Tom, I miss talking to you in the shop. You were a very kind man. May you Rest In Peace my friend.
Adieu to the second man I ever loved in my life. A strong, silent man raised between two sisters who did not hear him speak in full sentences until he reached 40! Never could get a word in at family gatherings. A hardworking, good man with many hidden talents. Who knew he could cook? But he came to family dinners with a cheesecake and pie that he had made for the occasion. Not a rich man in money but beyond rich in friends. To me he will always be the Easy Rider riding into the horizon.
sorry, a tad belated… Tom was my best friend in high school. We had girl friends that were best friends too. Many good times! We were the ones who limbed the chimney at BSHS and “graffitied” 64 in silver paint. The military carried me away for many years but we always connected when I was back in town. RIP, Tommy. Laverta’s forever