Tom, you were always the smartest person in any room you entered. I will find you wherever you are and go for a little run eh.

I was running and Tom popped into my head. Of the Wild Boys, Tom and David Wiggins are no longer with us. I don't know what happened to our drummer, an amazing, small and powerful guy who lived in the basement of the Home For Wild Boys in East Lansing, with his tiny girlfriend and tiny car. May not have been an actual human, but a great drummer. Those times, early 70's, were very different, and while the Wild Boys did not achieve great recognition, I am sure we were notorious. We lived up to our name, and excess was our standard, but Tommy was clearly a dedicated and serious musician. I greatly admire him for persisting, and finding new ways to get his music out. Whatever tales have been told about the Wild Boys are probably true, and may only be the half of it. All these years later, miss you Tommy. Mike Lewis, rocky mountains.

This thing you do is incredibly wonderful. Let's keep it up. Tom shared a hospital room with me after the car hit us running back to the field house Oct of 1969. It was a Thursday evening and that was steak night at coach Gibbard's house two days before every home cross country race. My ACL reattachment was successful by the best leg surgeon in America at that time, Dr. Lanny Johnson. People still talk of him out here in Colorado where I found my life after graduation. In 1984 I was the 22nd American to finish Boston Marathon and the first Colorado finisher. I got the American record for 38 year olds in the 5,000 meters, 1987 Carlsbad California but enough about me right. My advertising degree and a special project won me a ski trip to Aspen in 1971...I never left here. But one summer visiting family in Southfield I drove up to EL to reconnect. Tommy was living with a bunch in a really cool old house on Grand River I think. They were baking weed in the kitchen oven. I was so out of the loop and straight that he just had to take me out to the backyard and show me something. It was this ginormous xmas tree but really it was the biggest weed tree I have ever seen in my life up to this point. I'll be 73 in December :-)

Written August 3, 2021

Remembering Tom today especially, although I think of him often: My cousin whom I grew up with and close in age. Tom-A kind and caring person who is appreciated and missed.

Brother, you were one of a kind from the day we met in the Fall of '68 in Armstrong Hall at MSU. From the details about your life after 1973, I see you never shied away from the most difficult challenges, honoring both your father (a skydiver and a WWII veteran) and your great-uncle (who died in the Argonne Forest in WWI). "Requiescas in pace," dear friend!

Has it been this long my dear friend? Your spirit is alive within me. You voice is so unique and penetrating. Anthony Muraski

Thinking of you, Tom, as your birthday (2015)approaches. Missing you very much. Thanks for being my friend. Love your cousin Beth

Tom, I miss you and I always will. There are only a few people in my life that have had an impact on me. You stand tall above them all. Anthony Muraski

I was the other runner who got hit by that car in October of 1969. Tom and I were teammates on the cross country team. It was a Thursday night, steak night at coach Gibbard's house, and we were running back to the field house from Forest Acres golf course where we trained. We shared a hospital room after our surgeries for severed ACL's (not sure if he had surgery)but he was in a cast. I had not thought much about college life till recently when I was contacted about a book being written about the history of Michigan State cross country. I googled Tom and got this incredible site, thank you for this. Hang Turf, Kim Hartman

My dear friend. I will always miss you. I remember our last words together filled with laughter and irony. Anthony Muraski

Hi. My name is Brian Brickley and I was just going through some old stuff in my music file. I came across a note from Thomas that he sent after my Dad died. It said " I will truly miss your dad and remember his work" It was written on his post card that mentioned his involvement in legal work for musicians and artist. So I looked him up today to learn that he is no longer here. I am sad that I missed a chance to talk with him today but I am touched that he made the effort to comfort me when I needed it. Thanks

August 3, 2009 I see Tom on the streets of Ann Arbor - as I lead my life day to day. His memory is strong so I feel he is with us. No doubt he is missed and I would give anything to have one more converation with him about anything. I wonder if he would be happy with the 2008 election results? What do you think? Ernestine McGlynn emcglynn@sbcglobal.net

I have fond memories of 1988 recording music with my band "Vladimir's Universe" in Tom's garage studio. Requiescat in pace!

Your spirit and life was honored at Leonard Crow Dogs Sundance, in Rosebud, South Dakota, which ended appropriately on Sunday August 3, 2008. I was there and Chief Leonard remembered you and your keen sense of humor and humanity. I will be Sundancing in a few years. Aho! Brita

Another year my dear friend. I made part of my refrigerator a memorial to you. Your picture. The receipts you wrote to me for payment for your legal services. Sometimes the wind blows them all down put I pick each piece up laughing and crying. Tom I still can't hear your voice on this wonderful web cite but I always hear your voice. Anthony Muraski

It has been one year since Tom passed to his New Life. His family misses him very much. Tom-thanks for your teaching, your thoughts and your music. Thanks for being a real Human Being. Thanks for your legacy, your beautiful and gracious daughter, Grace. Love, From all of your cousins, especially those whom you spent your childhood with in Newport.

I met Tommy Silvia in 1968 ... we were freshmen at Michigan State University. 168-1972 ... ah, we all had too much fun in those days. Tommy and Rubin formed a blues duo called "Tar and Nicotine." They invited me to be the back-up singer, but I refused to wear white go-go boots. You were a delightful friend, and I am very sad to see you go too soon. Laurie (Johnson) Todd

The first time I saw Tom perform it was at the 300 anniversary of the T.V. show at OZs’ on Tuesday night. Tom got up and sang with Alan Ball and they just blew me away. I told a couple of musician friends that I wanted to be their drummer. A couple of years later I had just worked my last day at Borders and stopped in the Enzo blues jam and there was Tom writing a song and having dinner. I re-introduced myself and kiddingly asked if he needed any musicians as I was officially out of work. Tom said he needed a utility person that could play bass, drums and guitar and I said “Im your man” I got to play with Tom many times over the next year or so and I will cherish it forever. Tom would call and tell me to get ready to play bass or drums and send me Cowcatcher CDs so I could practice. The last time we talked he asked me to play drums in August at Hillsdale. He said “you can be Levon Helm”. Tom was like a real mentor to me. Anyone who played with Tom will tell you that he was a teacher. From him I learned not only music but performance and mostly respect for the craft and the audience. Once Tom and I were playing at Bombadil’s in Ypsi and only one person really paid attention with eye contact and foot stomping etc. Tom said we were building our audience one member at a time. Tom loved his daughter and his family and his friends. He also loved music and re-awoke my own love of music and songwrting. When Tom turned and shook my hand after a particularly well played song he would have the greatest look on his face like we just did the best thing in the world and I think we did. Whenever I write a song or perform I will have Tom on my shoulder telling me to keep better time or sing with emotion. Once a cowcatcher, always a cowcatcher. Tom’s wonderful songs will always be in my set. I hope we plan a tribute to Tom either out at Hillsdale or here in A2. I will help any way I can. God bless Tom’s family and friends. With the utmost respect and love, Martin T. Roberts PS - If anybody has picture with me and Tom or a copy of the video tape from his Hank senior tribute in Hillsdale, I sure would appreciate a copy. Peace and Love

I see him in a crowd, in a car driving by, just walking down the street with his gray braided hair. The memories still burn and I still yearn for his presence. It's still too soon to put him away back in my mind for that empty space will never be filed in my life time. Anthony Muraski

There are now 4 programs or 12 hours of Tom's great music, words and voice at the following webpage.... http://www.annarboralive.com/SubKid.html This will continue to be updated, so please keep checking back! A3Radio staff

Tom~Tommy Silvia~my cousin. A joyful spirit. A gift. What a wonderful member of our family you are! I realize now that I have so many memories of you all around me from the last 20+ years-notes, letters, pictures and recordings of your music. Your special laughter was the same throughout your life. I can hear it. Your delight in your daughter Grace is eternal. In my heart, the clear and pure memories are of an always kind and considerate blonde haired boy. Memories~sunny days, fishing at the Big Pond, laughter, Nana and Papa, going to The Newport Creamery (pistachio was your fav), playing at Third Beach, diving for quahogs, Mass, walking on the rocks at crabtown, sliding down the banister at Nana's house, your dog Alex, hide and go seek at the Big House, brothers and sisters and cousins and aunts and uncles galore. Thank you for your PRESENCE in my life. Thanks for being my friend and telling me so. Love,Beth

August 3rd now burned in my mind pushing over my life with Tom. Time I thought would put things back into perspective. I well always remember Tom's thoughts completing my thoughts. But he gave my thoughts some clearity. He gave me a reason to think them. Every thought I had Tom would challenge its value to my life and urged me to think thoughts that would raise my spirit and not trounce on someone else. I'm beginning again to miss him again.

I was very sorry to hear about your dad. He was a colleague that I really enjoyed working with at the Probate Court. My deepes condolences. Melissa Goldstein

I met Tom with Brita at Historic Fort Wayne in Detroit a few years ago. The Historic Fort Wayne family sends their love and prayers during this time. Tom Berlucchi Historic Fort Wayne coalition

Hello...I just heard the news.I have been calling Tom to play with him.I didnt know he passed.I just found out, im in shock.Im very sad.I played with him a few times.He was a great guy.I will miss him.We had some speacial jam sessions. Stephen Wallace

i knew tom only professionally. but he was the kind of person to make an impression on you. the thing that i most admired about tom was his firm ability always to see the silver lining in whatever clouds surrounded him. his smile was virtually ever present. you can see that in the photos in the slide show on this site. i will miss bumping into him on the street, hearing about his cases and causes, but most of all, i will miss his happiness. dan shemke

I think I was one of the very first people to meet Tommy here in Ann Arbor; that was 1975. Somehow we hooked up musically.He would come to our house on stadium ave.From time to time I would play with Tommy thru the years. I would see Tommy periodically around town.Tommy was laways friendly.He was always gregarious and generous with his humor.And he always appreciated others humor. I last talked with Tommy at a memorial service for a trombone player in april or may of this year. We sat and talked for about fifteen minutes and he was just as I described; friendly and giving. I will miss Tommy.

Dear Grace, This is such a wonderful tribute to Tommy. Our whole family has you and your father in our thoughts. I will always remember him playing songs at our bomb fires and singing Hank Willams and Beatles songs. He was such a wonderful human being, so full of life and spirit. He helped our family through the roughest of times and we are all thankful for that. I do wonder what were the 10 songs that he was listening to before he passed. His spirit is bringing him home. Love, Heidi "Wehrwein" Smith Bill Wehrwein's daughter

He filed up my cup first and then saved the morsels for himself. He sang to me his verses and then saved my soul for myself. He was a King, a prophet, a leader who humbly followed his dreams. The dreams were real to him and now I dream his dreams. He stood tall in his saddle and now his horse leads him to his resting place. Goodbye by dear friend, to the light which shines through your golden hair braided with sunshine. Goodbye. I'll miss you tomorrow and then for every tomorrow. Tony Muraski

I'm sure, beyond the sun, moon and stars, in the land of Great Souls, that Tom gets a big welcome hug from Judith. I'm very touched that this beautiful song, dedicated to my late wife, is included on this site (Judith passed on 4/17/07). May we live in their joy and light. James Semark

I had the great pleasure to accompany Tom and a date to the Hillsdale County Fair in 1993 to see and hear Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash. Tom provided all of us with great insight into their backgrounds. Jerry Matuszak

One day long ago, Tom and I lobbied our Michigan senators and representatives in Washington on criminal law matters. It was an exciting day full of discussion and debate. Tom was articulate and persuasive and I might add, charming. At the end of a long day, he burst into song during a family dinner in Virginia. It was vintage Tom and a perfect ending to an intense day of advocacy. You will be missed Tom. May you rest in peace. Ernestine McGlynn

The first time Tom and I went fishing together we both laughed because I caught a fish on virtually every cast-proving my 'fishworthiness' to him- He was hooked! The last time we went fishing on my Birthday, June 30, 2007- the same thing happened, I know it was an appropriate ending to what was a great chapter in our lives. Love you, Brita

Dear Grace, I am so sorry you lost such a wonderful father. I am a collegue of Tom's and only knew him as a lawyer, but enough to know that he was special. Thank you for the beautiful tribute to him and all the information on the website. Sheila Johnson

My father was a great friend to many. He was well aware of and very grateful for all of your friendship, love and well wishes over the past several weeks. We feel very fortunate to have been given so much extra time to spend with him, and the care he received can only be described as extraordinary and heroic. Thank you for all of your support.