Thomas R. Starace, 78, of New York City and Rhinebeck, NY, passed away at home on December 22, 2025. He is survived by his domestic partner, Jeff Greenberg, his brother James Starace, sister-in-law GeorgeAnn Starace, brother-in-law Ronald Pancrazi, three nieces (Gabrielle Lamaj, Elsbeth Pancrazi, and Alexis Pancrazi), one nephew (Clark Starace), four great-nephews (Slade Lamaj, Dashiell Lamaj, Chip Starace, Felix Pancrazi) and one great-niece (Suzanne Abeel). He was predeceased by his parents Cipriano and Gabriella Starace (nee Bruno) and sister Suzanne Pancrazi (nee Starace).

Tom was born on May 9, 1947, in Englewood, New Jersey, the oldest of three children. He grew up in the northern New Jersey towns of Cliffside Park and Ridgefield Park, and graduated from Ridgefield Park High School. In 1969 he graduated with a BFA in Art from The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art in Manhattan.

His professional life included design and art direction. After making a name for himself early in his career he began his own art design company. He later moved to Workman Publishing (1990-1992) and for twenty-one years was the Executive Art Director at HarperCollins Publishers (1992-2013).

Tom had many friends and was known by all as a gentle and humorous man. Tom was an accomplished writer, painter, musician and performer in musical theatre. Tom wrote a young adult novel – Hero Maker – which was published in 2021. Tom could often be heard playing the banjo or ukulele and singing at Taste Budd’s Café in Red Hook, NY. Tom also performed in many productions at The Center for Performing Arts at Rhinebeck.

Tom was a strong early advocate for LGBTQ+ rights. He marched in the 1970 Christopher Street Liberation Day March, held to commemorate the 1969 Stonewall Uprising. The demonstration evolved into today’s annual NYC Pride March, establishing the tradition of celebrating in late June to honor the ongoing fight for LGBTQ+ equality.

There will be a celebration of Tom’s life on Saturday January 31st, from 11am-2pm at The Gannon Funeral Home, 152 East 28th Street, New York, NY 10016.