Description
Poetry, Arts and Music, with Jerry. "Tom Gizzi, Melanie Lusignan." February 7, 2013.
[In memory of Thomas Gizzi, May 15, 1952 - December 20, 2018.]
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Lenox - Thomas M. Gizzi, 66, of Lenox died December 20, 2018 at Berkshire Medical Center.
Born in Schenectady, NY on May 15, 1952 to the late Anthony J. and Carolyn B. Gregoretti Gizzi, he attended St. John's Preparatory School, graduating in 1970. After high school, Thomas attended Babson College in Wellesley, Ma., where he obtained his Bachelor's Degree in Business.
Thomas was an avid music lover, and a singer/songwriter who recorded four albums. He was working on a fifth at the time of his death. He performed extensively throughout New England and the eastern U.S. and received numerous recognitions and citations for his music. His "Song for Linda" is featured in an upcoming film.
He was a communicant of St. Ann's Church.
Thomas was known for his kind soul and generous heart. He often helped those in need, donating his time and money to those less fortunate then himself.
Thomas is survived by his brother, Peter Gizzi of Holyoke, MA.; his niece, Pilar Gizzi of Portland, ME.; his great nephew, Hollis; and his partner of many years, Rosemary Flynn of Lenox.
Thomas's oldest brother Michael Gizzi passed away in 2010.
The funeral procession will begin on Friday December 28, 2018 at 9:00am at the Roche Funeral Home, followed by a Liturgy of Christian Burial at St. Ann's Church at 10:00am. Burial at the Holy Redeemer Cemetery in Schenectady, NY will be private. Calling hours will be Thursday, December 27, 2018 from 5:00pm to 7:00pm at the Roche Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, donations in Tom's memory may be made to The Brien Center in care of the Roche Funeral Home, 120 Main Street, Lenox, MA 01240.
To share memories and stories of Tom, please visit rochefuneralhome.com
Published in The Berkshire Eagle on Dec. 22, 2018
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Condolences
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December 24, 2018
I will never forget you or your music, Tom. Sending my condolences to Peter and Pilar. You are strong. You are survivors.
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Janet Pocorobba,
East Calais, Vermont
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December 24, 2018
Tom was a wonderful soul, spirited and energetic. Cordial and polite to everyone he met. Tom was full of energy and it was hard to imagine him slowing down. But when Tom played his guitar and sang--that mass of energy glowed. I remember Tom performing his rendition of Al Green's Let's Stay Together it made people stop, stare and listen. It was magical. I will miss Tom.
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Roberto Flores
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December 22, 2018
Very sorry to hear of Tom's passing.
Hope to Tom's brother Peter. Stand tall Pete
your your the best.
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Steve Gravitt,
Troy, New York
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December 22, 2018
RIP Tom...so sorry to hear this! May you continue your music!!!
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December 22, 2018
Thomas Gizzi will be sorely missed by Dale and myself. He was a special friend for many years, going back to his father, mother and brother Michael who have since passed. Our condolences go to his brother Peter.
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dolores tucker,
Lenox, Massachusetts
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December 22, 2018
...oh how it saddens me to see your smiling face on this page, Tom. It's been a few years since last we played and laughed at Sow's house. You've left us to join so many of our musical friends. You will be joining a helluva band in the beyond with all the Berkshire musicians who've gone on ahead. Rest in peace old friend , may your strings stay clean forever.
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Joe Gomes,
Cummington, Massachusetts
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To Tom's Family,
Please accept our deepest sympathy and prayers . Tom was a wonderful and talented person. It was always a pleasure to have him as a guest on Pittsfield Community TV's..."For Your Information," the show I host. His music and stories were always interesting and heart warming. He will be missed by all.
Tom, rest in peace.
Patrick & Marie Gormalley - December 29, 2018 at 05:35 AM
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Oh boy, this is pretty bad. Tom was a musical idol of mine as well as a dear friend.
His songwriting was completely original and inspired. I was luck enough to interview him extensively on Chuck White's Prehistoric Radio Free Berkshires show on Live 105 and he was magnificently strange and beautiful.
Any time we managed to see each other play or, even better, play together, I would
always make him play "Old Cape Cod" by Patti Page and he always hit it out of the park. I don't think I can ever hear that song again without crying.
So long, Tom...BR, Sean C.
Sean Callaghan - December 24, 2018 at 10:31 AM
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Tom was a great friend whom I saw too little of over the years. I first met Tom about
twenty years ago at an open mic in one of his visits to Florida in the wintertime. We
became friends and he ended up renting a room from me in West Palm Beach for 3 or 4 months. At the time Tom still smoked a pipe and I'll remember the smell of his pipe tobacco and if course his continual working on and practice of songs. We shared many, many laughs together.
I last saw Tom about two years ago for one night at an open mic when he and Rose drove over from Florida's west coast to say hello to me and other friends of his...and of course sing and play a few songs. About 6 months prior to that, myself and my girlfriend at the time were spending a couple weeks in Portland, Maine. She and I were staying on Peak's Island and everyday Tom would meet us at the ferryboat and we would spend the day going to different sites and exploring while many a night we would find an open mic to play at before he would take us back to the ferryboat.
That's the kind of guy he was - he would drive 4 hours just to sing and say hello to friends or be there at the boat to help make someone's vacation a little easier sharing his time and friendship.
Rick Seguso - December 24, 2018 at 08:39 AM
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Peter, Pilar and Rosemary,
I can't tell you how saddened I was to hear about Tom. His music was a beautiful
expression of who he was. I'll always remember his chuckle and smile from his crazy days as a teen in East Greenwich to the last time I saw him at Mike's service, and I'm sorry I won't be able to see and chat with him again. (I won't tell you about the night he and I discovered Tequila when he was at Roger Williams!) Stockbridge and The Berkshires will never be the same for me with the memories of both still strong. His music will always be on my playlist.
My heart goes out to all of you, he will be missed,
Steve Jusczyk
sjusczykri@cox.net
Steven Jusczyk - December 23, 2018 at 01:47 PM
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Thomas was my college roommate in 1970 at Roger Williams College ( now
University). He always had his guitar with him and kept me up to date on current
musical trends. He took care of me when I broke my ankle a few weeks after the
school year started. Thomas lost his dad quite suddenly back then which saddened
us all in our residential unit. I was never to see Thomas again after that first year we
attended RWC. I connected a bit on Facebook a few years back to see he was a life
long musician. Good for him. I wish to extend my condolences to his family and other
loved ones.
Lt. Carlton Arruda, (Ret.)
North Kingstown Police Department
North Kingstown, RI 02852
Lt. Carlton Arruda - December 22, 2018 at 05:22 PM
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I’m very sorry to hear of Tom’s passing. We always spoke about Mike's loss and of course his fathers & mothers. I was glad to reconnect with him in the schools just last year. It’s a
shock, such a nice family, we had alot in common. My aunt was his fathers executive
secretary back in the day. I wish him well, safe travels.
Barbara Arpante - December 22, 2018 at 05:38 PM
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I am so sorry to hear of Tom’s passing. Tom was a great friend at college, many great memories of road trips to Boston and New York. He sold me my first guitar! Sing on Tom, you will be missed. — Jim S.
Jim Seamans - December 22, 2018 at 03:22 PM
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Tom was one of the bright lights and best voices on music nights at the Dreamaway Lodge. I'll enjoyed playing with him and he will be missed. Best wishes and sincere condolences to his family and friends.
Will Beemer
Will Beemer - December 22, 2018 at 08:19 AM
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