Sayreville man, 62, found dead in surf BY MICHAEL ACKER Staff Writer OLD BRIDGE - A Sayreville man was found dead Sunday morning in the surf at the Laurence Harbor beachfront. Police said Thomas J. Newsome, 62, of the Morgan section of Sayreville, was pulled from the Raritan Bay after a witness called police to report a body floating near the shoreline near Twilight Avenue at 7:40 a.m. He was pronounced dead at 8:34 a.m. at Raritan Bay Medical Center in Perth Amboy. Police are investigating the death, and anyone with information is asked to call Old Bridge Police Detective Michael Blahota at (732) 721-5600, ext. 3001. The results of an autopsy performed Sunday were not released, and no information was available as to the cause of death or whether foul play was suspected. Newsome's daughter, Kelly, told the Suburban that the Laurence Harbor beach was her father's favorite place to walk, which he did almost on a daily basis, from his house on Morgan Avenue. "He went to the beach every day," Kelly Newsome said. "He walked 10 miles a day. He was very active and he kept fit." He had left his home for a walk on the beach around 7 a.m. Sunday morning and, as was a hobby, had gathered seashells, which were in his pockets when he was found. A lifelong Sayreville resident, Thomas J. Newsome was an operating engineer with the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 68 until he retired in 1994, his daughter said. He enjoyed gambling and playing the New Jersey Lottery. Newsome suffered from seizures in recent years since being involved in a car accident, Kelly Newsome said, noting that he was taking medication for the seizures. Since he was not able to drive, he walked to the beach and often took the train to the Monmouth Park racetrack in Oceanport, she added. "He was very funny," Kelly said. "He was a nice person who loved his kids and his grandchild. He would do anything for us." In addition to Kelly, of Long Branch, Newsome is survived by his wife Dora, 84; daughter Jennifer, of Sayreville; his son, Timothy, of Matawan; and his grandchild, Kaylee. A funeral service was planned for today at Whiteley Funeral Home in South Amboy.