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Post by Smiley on Oct 12, 2007 22:41:12 GMT -5
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Post by HollyH on Oct 12, 2007 23:10:34 GMT -5
Gorgeous -- thanks, Smiley!
I just want to report quickly that the Gallagher family was deeply touched by all the lovely things you have written here. I think it really has helped them cope with their grief. One of his brothers mentioned it in his eulogy -- the other one quoted a few words from my blog -- and every one of his brothers and sisters and nieces and nephews were eager to tell me how much the Kinks board seemed to have meant to Tom. I think through our memories we have helped them to understand Tom more fully, and to realize how much he was loved here. It was a sad occasion, but a beautiful service. I'm glad I could share our perspective with his friends and family and bond with them over our love of Tom.
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Post by franzie on Oct 13, 2007 8:54:44 GMT -5
what a handsome guy!! i really feel sorry for his family, thats all i can explain in englisch.....
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Post by franzie on Oct 13, 2007 9:01:06 GMT -5
very very beautiful pictures !!
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Post by Rosemary Rose on Oct 13, 2007 10:51:25 GMT -5
I just added "Don't be A Stranger" and "Love Is An Outlaw" to my myspace page as a tribute to Tom so people can listen. If you want to pass on the my link www.myspace.com/WhyMeRecording to anyone or to the message boards feel free. I set it up so people can add either song to their myspace pages but set it so it can't be downloaded, I didn't know whether the family would be upset about it being downloadable. -- Joe DeLuca
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Post by HollyH on Oct 15, 2007 8:56:34 GMT -5
Just wanted to add a little more description of Tom's funeral for those who weren't there.
It was pouring rain when I started driving down from New York but the sun broke through as I neared Philadelphia, almost as if it were a sign. The first person I ran into outside the church was Caroline (Demon Bowler from the gray board), which was a lucky thing, so we could share a first wordless moment together. Inside the church, we were greeted by a line of Tom's nieces and nephews, who were thrilled that some of his Kinks friends had come. Among the photo tributes was one titled "Major Tom" (a nickname the family picked up from us), with many pictures we've posted here. They had even printed out my blog review of his song. As I spoke to each of his siblings, they expressed how important this Kinks community was to Tom over the past couple of years. I heard the same from his co-workers and some local musicians he had played with. As much as Tom gave to us, I think we can be grateful that we all gave a lot back to Tom as well.
The church was a warm, beautiful sanctuary, and the full mass was glorious, with four priests and two altar boys and a cantor, all robed in brocaded stoles. (I kept imagining Tom's days as an altar boy in that very church.) Monsignor Conahan, who conducted the service, had a lovely down-to-earth manner, and though he never knew Tom personally, his words were genuinely consoling. I liked best when he said in his homily that all the little pieces of Tom that he planted in everyone who knew him will live on -- that it is in fact our duty to make them thrive, so that Tom can still live on through us.
Both of Tom's older brothers, Don and Kevin, gave touching eulogies. Kevin's was a celebration of Tom's accomplishments as a musician, which were really incredibly impressive. I hadn't know, for example, that a band he was in earlier opened once for Bob Dylan. Knowing what a devout Dylan fan Tom was, I can only imagine what a thrill that must have been for him.
Towards the end, the priests swung censers around Tom's casket while the cantor sang a hymn set to the tune of "Danny Boy." It was one of those moments that are calculated to set everyone crying. The outpouring of emotion was very cathartic.
Then a great long procession of cars drove out to the cemetery (several people mentioned that they were playing Tom's CD in the car on the way) and everyone threw a rose on his casket. Except for one woman in jeans who put out her cigarette on the casket instead -- a great rock 'n' roll gesture, I think.
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Post by nancyb on Oct 15, 2007 10:38:56 GMT -5
Thanks Holly.
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Post by TomT on Oct 15, 2007 17:56:23 GMT -5
Very nice Holly. I'm glad you got to go. I'm still very sad about this whole thing. It's so - final. There's nothing we can do to help him out now. It really sucks.
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Post by Smiley on Oct 15, 2007 21:38:54 GMT -5
Thank you Holly. It means so much.
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Post by franzie on Oct 16, 2007 8:03:51 GMT -5
at least i hope it was painless.
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Post by mrlennie on Oct 16, 2007 15:28:44 GMT -5
Thank you Holly.
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Post by Rosemary Rose on Oct 21, 2007 7:47:05 GMT -5
I just got this email from my friend Anastasia Moloney (she's an English ex-pat who lives in Colombia now). She came over for a weekend and Tom volunteered to be the "Philly guide":
I am very sorry to hear about Tom's death. I vividly remember spending a great weekend with Tom and you. I particularly remember him singing that song over and over again in the car [Creeping Jean] as he prepared to play at that bar [Dawson's St. Pub]. I recall his energy, quick thinking and intelligence. I agree that he was one of those people who had a presence and someone who after meeting once you don't forget. He was not just filling space and he had something to say and share. Many people don't. Please send my deepest sympathies to the family. What a tragic loss.
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Post by kkeefey on Dec 20, 2007 20:01:37 GMT -5
Hello...my name is Ken, I know I am joining this late in the game...but I wanted to add some words. I met Tom when I was just out of High School, back in 1981-82, and we were briefly in a band together. Tom was still in High School, this was back in Cheltenham PA, just outside of Philly. Even in High School, Tom was an awesome guitar player, and a real funny guy. The last time I spoke to him was a few years later, his band was warming up for Johnny Winter at the Trocadaro in Philly. I feel blessed to have known Tom, we used to practice in his basement of his parents house. We played a few gigs and really rocked the house at some parties, but we were only kids back then. My thoughts and prayers to all of his friends and family.
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Post by Smiley on Dec 21, 2007 2:05:15 GMT -5
thank you for sharing Ken. We miss him very much -smiley
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Post by blamo on Dec 21, 2007 10:23:52 GMT -5
he was loved by all of us here and the other boards THANKS major so many great laughs
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