From Doug Campbell, Tom's Friend from Sunn Classic
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From Michael and Helen Spence, Tom's Friends from Los Angeles and Sunn Classic
I don’t remember when I first met Tom. I know it was while I was at Sunn Classics in the mid-seventies, but he was just one on the many writers who seemed to come and go there. Later, after Sunn became Comworld, Tom became my boss. He, Mark Rosenbaum and I were responsible for turning out testing trailers and TV spots for pictures that Chuck Sellier might want to pick up (notably Sam Raimi’s Evil Dead was passed on).
Then in the early nineties, we worked together on the Miracles and Other Wonders shows. I directed the pilot and was supervising director on the additional episodes. Now, Tom and I were working together to come up with story lines and scripts. And we became friends. He was very supportive of me and as insecure as I was, that was a big help.
After I moved back to LA we talked on the phone a lot – usually me whining about my career and him trying to be optimistic. We had lunch from time to time and even wrote a script together. It didn’t sell but I enjoyed the meetings over lunch, usually at Factor’s, or hanging out at Tom’s apartment working.
He was often at our house for various parties and occasions and Helen and I were always glad to see him.
He had a good heart and I will miss him… I already do.
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From Rob and Barb Scoles, Tom's Friends from Monroe
In the summer of 1965, your Dad and I hitchhiked to the Worlds Fair in NYC.
Our trip started with Al Miller giving us a ride to I-75 at Dixie Hwy.
Our first ride was with an old man in bib overalls driving a 1948 Ford. Tom sat in the back seat, I’m in the front. After about 5 minutes, I looked in the back seat and saw Tom fighting a huge spider with his pen. As I watched, my eyes began to burn and your Dad started to disappear as the car filled with a foul smelling smoke. At almost the same time the car’s horn began to blow. The old man driving did not seem to notice the smoke or the horn blowing. We yelled that we wanted to get out right here on the side of I-75. When he finally stopped, I took out my pocket knife and cut the wires to the horn. Your Dad and I stood there and watched as he drove away with thick smoke bellowing from the windows.
Later in the day we had made it to the Ohio Turnpike at one of the entrance ramps and it began to storm. We stood in the pouring rain and no one would stop. Your Dad took the “NYC” sign we had on our suitcases and turned it upside down. The next car that came along began to slow down and when it stopped, two young girls rolled down the window and yelled “Your sign upside down”, Tom said “ ya we know. The girls asked why and Tom said “you stopped didn’t you” They laughed and gave us a ride. For the next 300 miles across PA. The girl in the passenger seat never took her eyes off of us.
We got to New York late that night and got a room at the downtown Y.M.C.A. and collapsed. We had tried to get to the city in time for the taping of the Tonight Show, but missed it. Tom was to meet Jackie Vernon there. Your Dad had been writing some jokes or him for awhile. We did meet Jackie and went to his apartment; we had a few drinks and spent a couple of hours with Jackie. It was fun.
The next morning we went sightseeing, Natural History Museum ect. That night we went bar hopping in Greenwich Village to a bar that was 8 feet wide and 80 feet long. No tables or chairs just a long bar with at least a dozen Go-Go girls dancers on a catwalk above the bar. At around 3 AM, as we strolled the sidewalks of the Village, the streets were packed with people as if it was rush hour, I physically bumped into someone and when I looked up, it was my roommate from Ferris State College in Michigan.
The next day we checked out of the Y.M.C.A. and were on our way to Long Island and the Worlds Fair. The plan was to stay at your Dad’s Aunt and Uncle’s. Around 8 AM , we went to the subway. We spent the next 13 hours trying to get off the subway at Long Island. At one time we were the end of line, in the wrong direction. When we would ask for direction, we couldn’t understand the New York accents. Eventually we realized that there were multiple layers of trains. DAH! Around 5 PM as the trained filled with commuters, the drunk, in the seat across from us, jumped up. He was holding a dirty brown paper bag and as the crowd pushed in he was bumped by a woman and he began screaming that the bag was full of money, He then jumped through the door opening, looked over his shoulder and was yelling “women are after his money”. As he ran down the platform, he fell head over heels over a bench. He was still yelling as the train pulled away. Finally, we arrived at your great Aunt and Uncle’s. We made it to the fair, spent two days and had a great time.
We hitchhiked back to Monroe with no more stories or at least that I can remember. I’ve killed a lot of brain cells since 1965.
The whole time we were on our New York adventure, your Dad was taking notes. I don’t know if he kept them, but more than once he told me he was going to write short story about the trip.
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From Kelly Chapman, Tom's Daughter
I will surely add many more stories, but for now, I just wanted to comment on some of the things that made me realize how generous my Dad was. When I was little, after my parents divorced, he had custody on the weekends. Even though I was only with him for a night or two each week, my Dad gave me the master bedroom in each house or condo he lived in, so that I'd have more room to play. Even with that being the case, he still let me - and helped me - build forts all over the living room and dining room, and I cherish the times I spent under sheets, eating dry cinnamon toast crunch, watching cartoons.
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From Aggie Monfette, Tom's Friend from High School
Tom was the "wind beneath my wings" during a very difficult patch in my life. He was always there when I needed him even though he was thousands of miles away. He was a caring, compassionate friend unconditionally as I was with him. I'm not sure if I would have survived that rough spot if Tom had not cared. He has always been in my heart since high school and will always have a special place in my heart forever. I will miss my special friend oh so much!
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From Ewa McCulloch, Tom's Friend from Los Angeles
Tom's recent struggle and departure caused the very famous Polish poem to play itself in my head over and over. So here it is to honor his spirit and all the good he left behind...
(Apologies to the poet and readers for deficiencies in translation.)
Let’s Hurry up
Let’s hurry up to love people they are leaving so fast
we are left with their shoes and deaf telephones
only what is trivial lags like a cow
the most important occurs suddenly
then regular silence therefore unbearable
like purity born straight from despair
when we think about someone remaining without him
Don’t be so sure that you have the time because certainty is uncertain
takes away our tenderheartedness like any of our joys
it comes simultaneously with pathos and humor
like two passions still weaker than one
they depart fast from here like thrush falling silent in July
like sound a bit awkward or emotionless bow
to see accurately they close their eyes
although a greater risk is to be born than to die
still we love too little and always too late
Don’t write about it often but once and for all
and you will be like a dolphin gentle and strong
Let’s hurry up to love people, they depart so soon
and those who don’t leave, not always return
and we never know talking about love,
if the first is the last or the last one the first
the most important occurs suddenly
then regular silence therefore unbearable
like purity born straight from despair
when we think about someone remaining without him
Don’t be so sure that you have the time because certainty is uncertain
takes away our tenderheartedness like any of our joys
it comes simultaneously with pathos and humor
like two passions still weaker than one
they depart fast from here like thrush falling silent in July
like sound a bit awkward or emotionless bow
to see accurately they close their eyes
although a greater risk is to be born than to die
still we love too little and always too late
Don’t write about it often but once and for all
and you will be like a dolphin gentle and strong
Let’s hurry up to love people, they depart so soon
and those who don’t leave, not always return
and we never know talking about love,
if the first is the last or the last one the first
[Jan Twardowski]
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From Kathleen Bleyaert, Tom's friend from High School
Your dad was a delight! Lit up the room with positive energy when he entered. We went to high school together. I was sad to hear of his death. When I am privileged to serve at funerals, I always ask those attending and myself, what is it that we can commit to keeping alive that in this case Tom's life brought to earth? For me Tom was gentle, kind, and brought the joy of humor.
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From Christian Jauberty, Tom's friend from Los Angeles (and Paris)
On those sweet Tom days, he arrived early with a car full of pans and crates and bottles. He settled in the kitchen and the conversation was on while he proceeded through the mysterious steps leading to what has been since a standard for my kids and I as far as ribs and other finger licking treats go: Tom’s ribs.
Once our friends joined us, a nice easygoing party would take place. Every once in a while, Tom would tell a story, with that spark in the eye which came with his talent as a storyteller. On other times, he listened to our stories with a kind and caring interest and that spark in the ear which made him a special friend.
Later, when everyone had left and the kids were asleep, the two of us usually stayed for a while and talked in the quiet of the night. Showbiz. And politics. And the politics of showbiz. Some more personal stuff too. Until it was time to say goodbye.
Later, when everyone had left and the kids were asleep, the two of us usually stayed for a while and talked in the quiet of the night. Showbiz. And politics. And the politics of showbiz. Some more personal stuff too. Until it was time to say goodbye.
Goodbye, my friend.
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From John and Darlene Hochradel, Childhood Friends of Tom's
Kelly,
How honored we are to have had Tom as a part of our lives. He and John go back to elementary school in the one room school house on Stoney Creek and cub scouts with John's mom as den leader at Grand Beach. Judy would babysit for John and bring Tom along to hang out with him.
Most recently he joined us on our boat travels along the east coast on our trips south.
You were the light of his life and he shared that with us on many occasions.
The world has lost one of the best. We will miss him.
With our best thoughts,
John and Darleen Hochradel
