Tom was much loved and a great friend to many. He is dearly missed.
There will be a celebration music festival in Tom's memory. Details TBD; volunteers and suggestions welcome.
To hear more of Tom's radio broadcasts visit www.a3radio.com
There was a service at St. Thomas Catholic Church in Ann Arbor on Tuesday August 14, a small gathering at the church followed by a 12 pm reception at Leopold Brothers. Thanks to all who came to share their thoughts about Tom. There was also a small family service on Tuesday, August 7 at St. Mark's Catholic Church in Catonsville, Maryland.
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I'm told that Tom was an adorable and exceptionally smart child, a fitting firstborn to his parents, who usually went undercover by the names Petsy and Vinnie.
He stood up at the coffee table by 6 months, he talked early on and walked early… the nurses at the hospital were astounded because he held his own head up from birth. As an infant in the carriage he’d reach out and pull his blankets down so he could see. Even though it was cold, it was winter, it never dissuaded his curiosity.
Tom was a questioner, a prankster and an altar boy, attending catholic school in Newport, RI until high school, in Bristol, CT.
In a big family it's hard to get a spot to yourself, Tom was an avid reader as a child and in order to find peace and quiet he would take all the snow boots and winter clothes out of their huge trunk and crawl inside. He rigged up a light with an extension cord that ran in from the other room, and no one would bother him for hours.
In high school, Tom and his friend Whitney found the duct that went under the principal’s office. One morning, they snuck in and hooked their record player up to the school PA system and played records for several periods of school, taking turns going to class so that they both had alibis. It took several hours for anyone to figure out where the music was coming from, never expecting a pirate radio station to be located under the floor beneath the principal’s desk. Needless to say when they were discovered the principal was furious and threatened to make sure they’d lose their college scholarships. Luckily upon reflection he decided it was rather ingenious, and granted reprieve.
In his late teens, Tom wrote a letter to NASA during the Apollo series. At that time, they were having a launch problem and he decided that he had figured out a solution and thought he should tell them how to fix it. To everyone’s surprise, they promptly wrote him back and thanked him for his input. NASA informed him that indeed, he was correct and while they had just now figured that very same solution for themselves, he should keep up the good work.
Fishing was his passion as a child. Fishing at the big pond and Green End in Newport, with Danny and Peter Ford and Frankie, 1960, Dad would stop by and pick them up on his way home from work for dinner, because Tom and the boys would stay forever, until the sun went down.
From Brita Brookes:
Tom loved fishing and had a huge respect and concern for nature. He always reviewed the condition of the ponds, lakes and rivers we fished in and he completed a MSU extension class on Pond Biology and Ecology that enabled him to assess the condition and causes of certain water ailments. His heart always sank when one of our fishing holes became suffocated by algae or plant growth—it pained him greatly. He had a real concern for water. We always had a pact to never leave Michigan because we felt it was a sacred state—with all the lakes and waters of life.
He started running cross-country in High School. He won the Ambi-Berfer race for High School students in 1967. His high school running coach was Coach Flloyd, whom he still kept in touch with. His 1600yd running record still stands at Michigan State and he was recently inducted into the Bristol High School Hall of Fame.
He ran the Boston Marathon twice and had received a tri-marathon medal. He was always proud that in the Boston Marathon he had beaten all the boys from West Point.
In college Tom’s cross country team got ranked to go to the NCAA championship, the next day he got hit by a car crossing the street and was holed up with a broken leg for the next several months. It was at that point that his roommate Rueben taught him to play the guitar.
Tom made his first skydiving jump with family friend, Jack Snyderman's son.
Tom's father was a paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne of the US Airforce during World War II. After returning from the war, Vinnie and his friends pioneered the sport of skydiving in New England as a recreational activity. Henceforth all the Silvia children and beyond have been skydiving including Tom, who enjoyed countless freefalls throughout his life.
Tom and Meg were married and lived in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Meg was a hairdresser and Tom drove a school bus for Oak Trails school and the Montessori school. They had a child, Grace in 1983 and were divorced in 1986.
Tom's daughter Grace Emerald was born in Ann Arbor, Michigan. When Tom was only seventeen he had a vision while crossing a busy street that he would have a daughter and name her Grace.
Tom passed away at Johns Hopkins Hospital at 8:31am. He died after a month-long hospitalization following a massive heart attack.
Days before we had been informed that he was unlikely to recover but would remain indefinitely sustained by the machines that were supporting his life. Though he remained aware and responsive to us, it would seem that he made his own choice and took what the doctors described as 'an inexplicable turn for the worse' on the evening of Thursday August 2.
We later learned that at 7:11pm that evening, his cousin, Kristen had given birth to a baby boy, Daniel Robert in Massachusetts.
Tom use to always say to me "Thanks for being my friend" and I say to you Tom thanks for being my friend. Bob Arnold
I met Tom in 1990 when we were "non-traditional" law students taking an artlaw elective together. Later, I began to see Tom regularly at meetings of the Arts Communications Entertainment and Sports ("ACES")Section of the State Bar of Michigan. Just last week, as Chair of the Hensel Award Committee for ACES, I had sent Tom a letter requesting his resume/curriculum vitae because he was under consideration for the Hensel Award. The John Hensel Award is given annually to an attorney who contributes to the fields of arts, communications, entertainment or sports as an advocate, board member, participant, supporter, and/or artist above and beyond his or her regular law practice. Those in ACES who knew Tom will attest to his enthusiasm for arts and entertainment and his involvement with seminars for artists and entertainers (not to mention his greatest passion - the Indian Law Section). I was looking forward to seeing Tom at our next ACES meeting or at the Annual Hensel Award reception this autumn. Tom will be missed by so many of us who are members of ACES. And I will miss his erudite quips. So long, Tom. It was great to know you.
I've known Tom professionally since the early 1990's as a fellow member of the ACES section of the State Bar of Michigan. When we met I was immediately impressed by Tom's passion and dedication to the arts and the rights of artists. I have always admired his devotion to his ideals as well as his creativity. Tom never let being a lawyer come before being a man.
Just a few months ago Tom called me about my theatre company with an interest in getting involved this summer. Unfortunately, his call was too late for this summer's show, but I insisted that he come back to us next spring. I will be waiting to hear from you, Tom.
Edward Nahhat
Caputo Brosnan PC and
Water Works Theatre Company, Inc.
Tom and I really forged our friendship together while working on planning the 40th Anniversary of the Detroit Artists Workshop which was to be held the week of November 4, 2004.
The intent of the event was to bring together all the original participants of the Detroit Artists Workshop and celebrate the organization's contributions to the arts as well as invite the youth of today to join in and learn about some Detroit history. Tom was such a huge support to me in planning events- he really was my backbone and sounding board for all ideas. I cherish the memories we have of working together, laughing, debating, stressing out and then finally patting each other on the back for a job well done. It was such a lesson in learning how to collaborate with a group and also a lesson of the arts influence on culture and politics- music is very powerful! We had almost no money to even run or publicize the week long series of free to the public events, but some how the DAW team did it! Tom and I were inseparable after this accomplishment and I know it will last in our souls forever. I really think he was my soulmate. I will miss you so much Tom- Love to you for eternity! Brita Brookes
As those who have been to Tom's house remember, he had a musical studio in his basement, and often practiced down there with his band. One day around 15 years ago a neighbor called to complain about the noise, and Tom received a noise ticket from the police. This is actually a misdemeanor under city ordinance.
Tom was incredulous on several levels. First, he couldn't believe that the sound would bother anyone. He was doing his Hank Williams tribute music at the time, and his basement studio was heavily insulated. Not exactly head-banger stuff! Second, he was upset at being ticketed instead of just warned. Third, he didn't believe the law was constitutional (and neither did I). Apparently he learned that I had been litigating the constitutionality of Ann Arbor's noise ordinance. He asked me to represent him and I said yes. We had a case with Judge Connors and I think Bob West was the City Attorney prosecuting the case. I filed all sorts of motions and challenged the constitutionality of the ordinance; we had an evidentiary hearing; both Judge Connors and Mr. West were quite tired of the case by this time. Judge Connors routinely denied all my motions. Eventually, we reached an agreement: if Tom's band would play at the Washtenaw County Bar Association's annual "Bar Revue," a fundraiser for Legal Services, the case would be dismissed. Tom agreed and so went the most unusual plea bargain I've ever reached.
Nick Roumel
Tom and I shared a common interest. Survival. He was more than a friend for we shared the same brain. Our relationship ran from the sublime to the rediclulous. We practiced extreme laughter and intellecutally wander all over the place from the cosmos to Tios (our favorite Mexican restaurant). We practiced law together and sometimes we were on the other side of the isle. When we walked around together any time he met a friend he would introduce me as his former law professor. Of course I blushed. We were planning to start our own law practice. One day Tom became so angry he kicked his chair so hard he almost broke his foot. Well I foud that very funny and told him that I was going to represent his chair and sue him. I even consulted with the chair. Tom just looked at me still limping. Tom was more than a friend for we treated each other like brothers. He loved my girls and they miss Tom. I still have not told them. At 2 and 4 years old I think they would understand. I'm the one that does'nt undertand. I was with Tom every day for more than a year before his death. We watched Joh Stewart together, the history channel and Scifi stories. This was very intellectually stimulating. I was with Tom the night he took off to visit his Mom. When I heard of his heart attack I called him at the hospital before he went into surgery. Tom and I shared our last joke together. When I spoke to Tom I told him, "Tom if your dead then we're both in Heaven." We both laughed extremely.
I lived in Tom’s house during a period of three years of biochemical research that I performed at the University of Michigan and got to know Tom quite well both as a person and as a musician. When he founded his band „The Cowcatchers“, I gladly took his offer to join the group as the piano player. As the “youngster” in the band, I loved playing with and learning from Tom (vocals, bass), Armando (drums), Alan (guitar) and later members of the band, such as Harry, Bob or Allen. Indeed, I always admired Tom for his great versatility, his talents as a musician/songwriter and his broad knowledge of law, music and many other topics. I also appreciated accompanying Tom at St. Thomas Catholic Church in Ann Arbor, where we regularly played at Mass on Sundays. After having moved back to Germany quite a while ago, I was looking forward so much to seeing Tom again on a visit to Ann Arbor this September. Who would have thought... --- Tom, dear friend, you are truly and deeply missed! I will always remember you, especially when playing and listening to your music! Thankfully, you have left quite a lot of that for us! Joerg
I first met Tom in 1979 when the female singer I was trying to make a band with and I were auditioning people for bass and drums. In came Tom, with his long pony-tail and traditional "hippie" garb. We played some songs together and he definitely had talent, but the singer I was working with didn't want anyone as secure in his own singing as Tom to take the spotlight away from her. Things like that would never let Tom lose sight that he had contributions to make, and whenever we met after that he always remembered me and treated me as a friend. Things occured to strengthen our friendship, usuall based around work opportunities. Some time after that he called me to encourage me to get back in "good standing" with the Msician's Union, which I did, and we were chatting how he was looking for a job and I told him about my driving school bus and that he could qualify easily. He started working for AAPS and was a good bus driver, except for the fact he would stand firm against management when they would make irrational rules, decisions or such. He stayed until he decided to go back to school and get into law. We stayed in touch while we both lived our lives and I knew him to be a bright, creative musical force. I contacted him when it appeared that I was going to have an opportunity to co-write a song to be presented for consideration to a major artist. I needed another player and vocalist so when I asked Tom he was immediately enthusiastic and injected energy, skills and equipment into the venture for the month or so it took. It turned out to be a scam that was being perpretrated on me but Tom never held it against me. He was still looking at it like the growing opportunity it was and was humorous about the education we had received. After that, whenever Tom would call for anything I always did what I could to accomodate him. I knew that anything Tom wanted to do musically would be an education. That education came in many forms, from learning new material I never played before, to dealing with musicians I wouldn't have necessairly wanted to play with. Tom was always steadfast in his mission, creative, fun and full of more information than he could share in any one setting. When Tom became a lawyer, it was immediately apparant to me that Law was in for some new blood. Tom approached law with the same creativity that he had with music, finding little details and niches that nobody else would ever consider. Although I am not a lawyer, he would talk about concepts he was thinking of and fighting for. He had a three-dinensional view of law, each diminsion having it's own place, and if you were the one being represented by him, your dimension was the one that counted. I am devastated by the loss of Tom, not only for the loss of the opportunity to play music with him again, but for the loss to us ALL, in the sense of what he could have accomplished in the legal system. His zeal for reform, for fighting for the little guy that had no other hope or resource, for Immigrantion Law, and for the overall justice of our country. We have all lost a Kinght of Good Hope, a soldier that will stand against tyranny, on faith alone. And finally, a word about his love for Grace. Every time I would have time to talk, he would always include that latest news about his dear daughter, Grace. From recording Christmas songs with her as a child to her accomplishments in school, Tom was steadfast in his love and hope for his Grace. No matter what I may say, it will never be enough to describe Tom Silvia. I have a theory that whenever one of us gets to be too close to perfection, God steps in and takes that person back: They have no way to grow more. Tom may have not been perfect, but he didn't have far to go.
Tommy was the bass player, vocalist and composer for a band we were in, the Wild Boys (from the William Burroughs novel). I was a guitarist and sang too, along with David Wiggins, who played harp and guitar. I am told we are still remembered in the East Lansing--Ann Arbor area, if only for our extreme volume. We played outside a dorm at Michigan State one time, and I was told that we could be clearly heard a mile away--behind us. But what we really had was energy, and Tommy had the most. It seems like ages ago on another planet, but for a while we all lived together at the Home for Wild Boys, a farm house in rural East Lansing. There was music, and a more or less party, at all times there. Tommy at the time was a lean man with a big bass, and he wrote a huge volume of songs, all of them good. Some highlights: we played the Pussy Cat club in Battle Creek, right after it stopped being a strip club, and there was no one in there but disappointed drunk high school athletic coaches; we played on the steps of Rackham Library in Ann Arbor right before, and during, a riot, complete with mustard gas; and we opened for Howling Wolf at the Ann Arbor blues festival. THE Howling Wolf. Those were crazy times, but Tommy was more focused than many of us were, and never lost track of the important issues, personal freedom and social fairness. I am sure it gave Tommy satisfaction to know that the thundering sound of the Wild Boys is still bouncing off the planets. You're a good man Tommy, and I miss you. Mike Lewis
I first met Tommy when the Wild Boys were on their way to Chicago and needed a bass guitar. I was a recovering bass player, and sold Tommy my 1968 Fender Telecaster bass, a bass larger than Tommy was. Tommy was really more of a beat poet back then, just learning to be a musician, and quickly learned to play that bass. The Wild Boys went on to get better (and louder) and I became their only roadie and ran the sound.
I had lost touch with Tommy until I moved back to Ann Arbor last fall. Tommy rented me a room in his house, and we started playing music at Bombadills Coffee shop in Ann Arbor and a couple of times in Hillsdale. We also played for his spot on A3 public radio (an internet radio station) several times. He taught me a LOT of new songs, many of which he had written, and I have incorporated several of his originals in my solo work. Tommy liked to bill me as Lonesome Jack, a sobriquet he felt reflected my style of music, and the fact that I had recently relocated from Ann Arbor from New Mexico, a land of mysterious cowboys.
Last fall Tommy showed me that old bass I sold him in 72, and explained that he could no longer handle its mass due to a back injury. So Tommy and I reunited last fall and Tommy reunited me with that old bass (now wearing the patina of time). When I sold him that bass I told him there was only two conditions. The first was that he could NOT remove the peace symbol that I had put on the front back in 68, when I bought it in high school. The second was that if he ever wanted to sell it, to let me know. He honored both requests, and that tattered peace symbol decal is still on the front of that wonderfully aged bass.
Tommy helped me a lot, helping me to become a better musician in that brief time we play last winter. We shared morning coffee, with discussions that ranged all over the worlds issues. The last time we got together to play was shortly before his passing.
I'll miss you Tommy. We all will. Lonesome Jack Pence.
I met Tom shooting darts at the Ann Arbor Brew Pub. We spent many nights shooting, drinking (he water, I beer), talking art, music, philosophy. Tom never missed the opportunity to bewilder me with his interrogative and then trip me with double bulls. He was a generous and kind soul and it is with great sadness that I acknowledge his passing. Paul Cook
Hi, My name is Mayling. Several years ago, I had the honour of spending a night at Tom's home while traveling from British Columbia to Ontario. Tom's name had been given to me by mutual friend Elessar Tetramariner who now lives in England. Elessar said that I would probably enjoy meeting him, and how right he was! As I recently finished my first sun dance and received a pipe, Tom and I had lots to talk about. We spent hours talking late into the night, sharing stories and interests - law, music, archery & Lord knows what else.
Next day, we went for brunch, joined by a friend whose name eludes me, then spent a wonderful couple of hours touring Ann Arbor, ending it with a hike along the Pontiac Trail. It was a glorious fall day, sunny and warm, and there was a glow of camaraderie. Tom gifted me with a copy of all but the newest Cowcatchers cd. Many hours after my intended time of departure, we finally said good bye, and I made my way to the Windsor border.
Despite all of my intentions, the turbulence of my life from then until now has kept me from reaching out to this fine man I have kept in my thoughts and in my heart, and referred to as a friend. I find that I always think of him at sun dance, at the Tree. And no wonder. I was at the Tree on 3 Aug of 2007 and 2008.
Tonight 6Nov08, in a rare period of internet access, I tried to find his radio show which I believe began the week following my visit. I found this memorial instead.
Truth is, I would have preferred to tell Tom in person how much his kindness and hospitality to a transient stranger meant to me, and in many ways sustained me over the past 2 years, than to be typing this reminiscence now. But I guess he already knows.
See you at the tree next year, Tom!
Tom was born on February 7, 1950 in Newport, Rhode Island, eldest son of Joseph Vincent and Mary Elizabeth Silvia.
With his father's friend Jack Snydermen's son, they were both 16.
Tommy was the bass player, vocalist and composer for a band we were in, the Wild Boys (from the William Burroughs novel). I was a guitarist and sang too, along with David Wiggins, who played harp and guitar. I am told we are still remembered in the East Lansing--Ann Arbor area, if only for our extreme volume. We played outside a dorm at Michigan State one time, and I was told that we could be clearly heard a mile away--behind us. But what we really had was energy, and Tommy had the most. It seems like ages ago on another planet, but for a while we all lived together at the Home for Wild Boys, a farm house in rural East Lansing. There was music, and a more or less party, at all times there. Tommy at the time was a lean man with a big bass, and he wrote a huge volume of songs, all of them good. Some highlights: we played the Pussy Cat club in Battle Creek, right after it stopped being a strip club, and there was no one in there but disappointed drunk high school athletic coaches; we played on the steps of Rackham Library in Ann Arbor right before, and during, a riot, complete with mustard gas; and we opened for Howling Wolf at the Ann Arbor blues festival. THE Howling Wolf. Those were crazy times, but Tommy was more focused than many of us were, and never lost track of the important issues, personal freedom and social fairness. I am sure it gave Tommy satisfaction to know that the thundering sound of the Wild Boys is still bouncing off the planets. You're a good man Tommy, and I miss you. Mike Lewis
Tom and Meg were married and lived in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Meg was a hairdresser and Tom drove a school bus for Oak Trails school and the Montessori school. They had a child, Grace in 1983 and were divorced in 1986.
Tom's daughter Grace Emerald was born in Ann Arbor, Michigan. When Tom was only seventeen he had a vision while crossing a busy street that he would have a daughter and name her Grace.
I first met Tommy when the Wild Boys were on their way to Chicago and needed a bass guitar. I was a recovering bass player, and sold Tommy my 1968 Fender Telecaster bass, a bass larger than Tommy was. Tommy was really more of a beat poet back then, just learning to be a musician, and quickly learned to play that bass. The Wild Boys went on to get better (and louder) and I became their only roadie and ran the sound.
I had lost touch with Tommy until I moved back to Ann Arbor last fall. Tommy rented me a room in his house, and we started playing music at Bombadills Coffee shop in Ann Arbor and a couple of times in Hillsdale. We also played for his spot on A3 public radio (an internet radio station) several times. He taught me a LOT of new songs, many of which he had written, and I have incorporated several of his originals in my solo work. Tommy liked to bill me as Lonesome Jack, a sobriquet he felt reflected my style of music, and the fact that I had recently relocated from Ann Arbor from New Mexico, a land of mysterious cowboys.
Last fall Tommy showed me that old bass I sold him in 72, and explained that he could no longer handle its mass due to a back injury. So Tommy and I reunited last fall and Tommy reunited me with that old bass (now wearing the patina of time). When I sold him that bass I told him there was only two conditions. The first was that he could NOT remove the peace symbol that I had put on the front back in 68, when I bought it in high school. The second was that if he ever wanted to sell it, to let me know. He honored both requests, and that tattered peace symbol decal is still on the front of that wonderfully aged bass.
Tommy helped me a lot, helping me to become a better musician in that brief time we play last winter. We shared morning coffee, with discussions that ranged all over the worlds issues. The last time we got together to play was shortly before his passing.
I'll miss you Tommy. We all will. Lonesome Jack Pence.
I first met Tom in 1979 when the female singer I was trying to make a band with and I were auditioning people for bass and drums. In came Tom, with his long pony-tail and traditional "hippie" garb. We played some songs together and he definitely had talent, but the singer I was working with didn't want anyone as secure in his own singing as Tom to take the spotlight away from her. Things like that would never let Tom lose sight that he had contributions to make, and whenever we met after that he always remembered me and treated me as a friend. Things occured to strengthen our friendship, usuall based around work opportunities. Some time after that he called me to encourage me to get back in "good standing" with the Msician's Union, which I did, and we were chatting how he was looking for a job and I told him about my driving school bus and that he could qualify easily. He started working for AAPS and was a good bus driver, except for the fact he would stand firm against management when they would make irrational rules, decisions or such. He stayed until he decided to go back to school and get into law. We stayed in touch while we both lived our lives and I knew him to be a bright, creative musical force. I contacted him when it appeared that I was going to have an opportunity to co-write a song to be presented for consideration to a major artist. I needed another player and vocalist so when I asked Tom he was immediately enthusiastic and injected energy, skills and equipment into the venture for the month or so it took. It turned out to be a scam that was being perpretrated on me but Tom never held it against me. He was still looking at it like the growing opportunity it was and was humorous about the education we had received. After that, whenever Tom would call for anything I always did what I could to accomodate him. I knew that anything Tom wanted to do musically would be an education. That education came in many forms, from learning new material I never played before, to dealing with musicians I wouldn't have necessairly wanted to play with. Tom was always steadfast in his mission, creative, fun and full of more information than he could share in any one setting. When Tom became a lawyer, it was immediately apparant to me that Law was in for some new blood. Tom approached law with the same creativity that he had with music, finding little details and niches that nobody else would ever consider. Although I am not a lawyer, he would talk about concepts he was thinking of and fighting for. He had a three-dinensional view of law, each diminsion having it's own place, and if you were the one being represented by him, your dimension was the one that counted. I am devastated by the loss of Tom, not only for the loss of the opportunity to play music with him again, but for the loss to us ALL, in the sense of what he could have accomplished in the legal system. His zeal for reform, for fighting for the little guy that had no other hope or resource, for Immigrantion Law, and for the overall justice of our country. We have all lost a Kinght of Good Hope, a soldier that will stand against tyranny, on faith alone. And finally, a word about his love for Grace. Every time I would have time to talk, he would always include that latest news about his dear daughter, Grace. From recording Christmas songs with her as a child to her accomplishments in school, Tom was steadfast in his love and hope for his Grace. No matter what I may say, it will never be enough to describe Tom Silvia. I have a theory that whenever one of us gets to be too close to perfection, God steps in and takes that person back: They have no way to grow more. Tom may have not been perfect, but he didn't have far to go.
Tom and I shared a common interest. Survival. He was more than a friend for we shared the same brain. Our relationship ran from the sublime to the rediclulous. We practiced extreme laughter and intellecutally wander all over the place from the cosmos to Tios (our favorite Mexican restaurant). We practiced law together and sometimes we were on the other side of the isle. When we walked around together any time he met a friend he would introduce me as his former law professor. Of course I blushed. We were planning to start our own law practice. One day Tom became so angry he kicked his chair so hard he almost broke his foot. Well I foud that very funny and told him that I was going to represent his chair and sue him. I even consulted with the chair. Tom just looked at me still limping. Tom was more than a friend for we treated each other like brothers. He loved my girls and they miss Tom. I still have not told them. At 2 and 4 years old I think they would understand. I'm the one that does'nt undertand. I was with Tom every day for more than a year before his death. We watched Joh Stewart together, the history channel and Scifi stories. This was very intellectually stimulating. I was with Tom the night he took off to visit his Mom. When I heard of his heart attack I called him at the hospital before he went into surgery. Tom and I shared our last joke together. When I spoke to Tom I told him, "Tom if your dead then we're both in Heaven." We both laughed extremely.
I met Tom shooting darts at the Ann Arbor Brew Pub. We spent many nights shooting, drinking (he water, I beer), talking art, music, philosophy. Tom never missed the opportunity to bewilder me with his interrogative and then trip me with double bulls. He was a generous and kind soul and it is with great sadness that I acknowledge his passing. Paul Cook
I met Tom in 1990 when we were "non-traditional" law students taking an artlaw elective together. Later, I began to see Tom regularly at meetings of the Arts Communications Entertainment and Sports ("ACES")Section of the State Bar of Michigan. Just last week, as Chair of the Hensel Award Committee for ACES, I had sent Tom a letter requesting his resume/curriculum vitae because he was under consideration for the Hensel Award. The John Hensel Award is given annually to an attorney who contributes to the fields of arts, communications, entertainment or sports as an advocate, board member, participant, supporter, and/or artist above and beyond his or her regular law practice. Those in ACES who knew Tom will attest to his enthusiasm for arts and entertainment and his involvement with seminars for artists and entertainers (not to mention his greatest passion - the Indian Law Section). I was looking forward to seeing Tom at our next ACES meeting or at the Annual Hensel Award reception this autumn. Tom will be missed by so many of us who are members of ACES. And I will miss his erudite quips. So long, Tom. It was great to know you.
As those who have been to Tom's house remember, he had a musical studio in his basement, and often practiced down there with his band. One day around 15 years ago a neighbor called to complain about the noise, and Tom received a noise ticket from the police. This is actually a misdemeanor under city ordinance.
Tom was incredulous on several levels. First, he couldn't believe that the sound would bother anyone. He was doing his Hank Williams tribute music at the time, and his basement studio was heavily insulated. Not exactly head-banger stuff! Second, he was upset at being ticketed instead of just warned. Third, he didn't believe the law was constitutional (and neither did I). Apparently he learned that I had been litigating the constitutionality of Ann Arbor's noise ordinance. He asked me to represent him and I said yes. We had a case with Judge Connors and I think Bob West was the City Attorney prosecuting the case. I filed all sorts of motions and challenged the constitutionality of the ordinance; we had an evidentiary hearing; both Judge Connors and Mr. West were quite tired of the case by this time. Judge Connors routinely denied all my motions. Eventually, we reached an agreement: if Tom's band would play at the Washtenaw County Bar Association's annual "Bar Revue," a fundraiser for Legal Services, the case would be dismissed. Tom agreed and so went the most unusual plea bargain I've ever reached.
Nick Roumel
I lived in Tom’s house during a period of three years of biochemical research that I performed at the University of Michigan and got to know Tom quite well both as a person and as a musician. When he founded his band „The Cowcatchers“, I gladly took his offer to join the group as the piano player. As the “youngster” in the band, I loved playing with and learning from Tom (vocals, bass), Armando (drums), Alan (guitar) and later members of the band, such as Harry, Bob or Allen. Indeed, I always admired Tom for his great versatility, his talents as a musician/songwriter and his broad knowledge of law, music and many other topics. I also appreciated accompanying Tom at St. Thomas Catholic Church in Ann Arbor, where we regularly played at Mass on Sundays. After having moved back to Germany quite a while ago, I was looking forward so much to seeing Tom again on a visit to Ann Arbor this September. Who would have thought... --- Tom, dear friend, you are truly and deeply missed! I will always remember you, especially when playing and listening to your music! Thankfully, you have left quite a lot of that for us! Joerg
Tom and I really forged our friendship together while working on planning the 40th Anniversary of the Detroit Artists Workshop which was to be held the week of November 4, 2004.
The intent of the event was to bring together all the original participants of the Detroit Artists Workshop and celebrate the organization's contributions to the arts as well as invite the youth of today to join in and learn about some Detroit history. Tom was such a huge support to me in planning events- he really was my backbone and sounding board for all ideas. I cherish the memories we have of working together, laughing, debating, stressing out and then finally patting each other on the back for a job well done. It was such a lesson in learning how to collaborate with a group and also a lesson of the arts influence on culture and politics- music is very powerful! We had almost no money to even run or publicize the week long series of free to the public events, but some how the DAW team did it! Tom and I were inseparable after this accomplishment and I know it will last in our souls forever. I really think he was my soulmate. I will miss you so much Tom- Love to you for eternity! Brita Brookes
Tom passed away at Johns Hopkins Hospital at 8:31am. He died after a month-long hospitalization following a massive heart attack.
Days before we had been informed that he was unlikely to recover but would remain indefinitely sustained by the machines that were supporting his life. Though he remained aware and responsive to us, it would seem that he made his own choice and took what the doctors described as 'an inexplicable turn for the worse' on the evening of Thursday August 2.
We later learned that at 7:11pm that evening, his cousin, Kristen had given birth to a baby boy, Daniel Robert in Massachusetts.
Tom use to always say to me "Thanks for being my friend" and I say to you Tom thanks for being my friend. Bob Arnold
Hi, My name is Mayling. Several years ago, I had the honour of spending a night at Tom's home while traveling from British Columbia to Ontario. Tom's name had been given to me by mutual friend Elessar Tetramariner who now lives in England. Elessar said that I would probably enjoy meeting him, and how right he was! As I recently finished my first sun dance and received a pipe, Tom and I had lots to talk about. We spent hours talking late into the night, sharing stories and interests - law, music, archery & Lord knows what else.
Next day, we went for brunch, joined by a friend whose name eludes me, then spent a wonderful couple of hours touring Ann Arbor, ending it with a hike along the Pontiac Trail. It was a glorious fall day, sunny and warm, and there was a glow of camaraderie. Tom gifted me with a copy of all but the newest Cowcatchers cd. Many hours after my intended time of departure, we finally said good bye, and I made my way to the Windsor border.
Despite all of my intentions, the turbulence of my life from then until now has kept me from reaching out to this fine man I have kept in my thoughts and in my heart, and referred to as a friend. I find that I always think of him at sun dance, at the Tree. And no wonder. I was at the Tree on 3 Aug of 2007 and 2008.
Tonight 6Nov08, in a rare period of internet access, I tried to find his radio show which I believe began the week following my visit. I found this memorial instead.
Truth is, I would have preferred to tell Tom in person how much his kindness and hospitality to a transient stranger meant to me, and in many ways sustained me over the past 2 years, than to be typing this reminiscence now. But I guess he already knows.
See you at the tree next year, Tom!
I started to build my tribute to Tom today.