Obit: Tom Gibney (April 9, 2005)

Subject: Obit: Tom Gibney
From: curmudgeon
Date: 11 Apr 05 - 08:28 PM

After a prolonged bout with cancer, Tom Gibney passed away this past Saturday. He was, in addition to many other accomplishments and contributions to traditional music. a member of Poor Old Horse with David Jones and Heather Wood.

   A memorial service is planned for Saturday April
16 at 2:30 in the Princeton University Chapel. This
site will help:

http://www.princeton.edu/main/visiting/

Some parking should be available in Lot 10 on Williams
Street, even though this site doesn't seem to
recommend it for before 5 P.M.

Greatly missed, but not forgotten -- Tom Hall

Subject: RE: Obit: Tom Gibney
From: Jeri
Date: 11 Apr 05 - 09:02 PM

I loved listening to him sing, and watching him sing, because he simply glowed with the energy of joy. I'll miss that light.

Subject: RE: Obit: Tom Gibney
From: Nancy King
Date: 11 Apr 05 - 09:41 PM

So very sorry to hear this. Tom was a fine singer and a real nice guy. He'll be much missed.

Subject: RE: Obit: Tom Gibney
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 11 Apr 05 - 10:35 PM

Real sorry to read this... he seemed like a really sweet guy who loved to sing and was very sincere and honest. Not many like him.

Jerry

Subject: RE: Obit: Tom Gibney
From: Bill D
Date: 11 Apr 05 - 10:36 PM

It was not so very long ago that I had the pleasure of hearing him at a private gathering. He was such a fine musician and just plain gracious and friendly guy. He faced his illness with grace--by just doing what he could as long as he could.

He left us a lot of good music and memories.

Subject: RE: Obit: Tom Gibney
From: GUEST,Knitpick --jennifer w.
Date: 11 Apr 05 - 10:59 PM

Tom was one of the most incredible singers and musicians I've had the pleasure to know. As well as that, he was one of the sweetest, niceset persons I've had the privialge to call a friend --obviously a wonderful husband and father -- I took great joy over the past 20 years watching him and Patti and their sons -- such joy together as a family. My heart goes out to his family.

I still can remember what a thrill I felt when I first heard him lead a song . . . and later on fiddle with a tune . . . and that was over 20 years ago ....

I feel very blessed to have known him.

jennifer w., near dc

Subject: RE: Obit: Tom Gibney
From: Big Mick
Date: 11 Apr 05 - 11:52 PM

I am so disappointed at this news. I have heard much about this man and had hoped to sing with him. Good be good to him and the family.

Sincerely,

Mick

Subject: RE: Obit: Tom Gibney (April 9, 2005)
From: RangerSteve
Date: 12 Apr 05 - 06:29 AM

He participated in the monthly Sings here in Central New Jersey. I loved his voice. He was also a great guy who loved to share his songs with other people.

At one of the monthly gatherings a year and a half ago, he sang a gospel tune that I really liked. I asked him about the source, and he said he'd send me the words. He did, apparently the next day. Someone stole the mail from my box and tossed it in the weeds along the road. Only recently did I discover the letter, which, amazingly, was still in decent shape, despite some pretty awful weather. This was a song that I was obviously meant to learn. Thanks, Tom.

Steve

Subject: RE: Obit: Tom Gibney (April 9, 2005)
From: Jeri
Date: 12 Apr 05 - 07:00 AM

Mick, and others who were at last year's Getaway, you likely did sing with Tom at some point, as he was there.

Subject: RE: Obit: Tom Gibney (April 9, 2005)
From: RoyH (Burl)
Date: 12 Apr 05 - 10:05 AM

I grieve at this news. I have long considered Tom to be one of the best singers I have ever heard, not only for his style and musicality but also for the sheer joy he displayed whilst singing.    His passing leaves us all bereft. Heartfelt sympathy to his wife and family. Burl

Subject: RE: Obit: Tom Gibney (April 9, 2005)
From: Carly
Date: 12 Apr 05 - 10:27 AM

Tom lived his life and faced his death with intelligence, grace and humor. I feel priviledged to have known this remarkable man, to have heard him sing and play, to have felt his joy and enthusiasm, and to have shared many good times with him. This world has lost a great and good soul.

My heart goes out to his courageous and loving family; Patti, his wife, and Michael and David, his two talented sons.

Subject: RE: Obit: Tom Gibney (April 9, 2005)
From: GUEST,Chanteyranger
Date: 12 Apr 05 - 11:22 AM

Vary sad news. My deepest condolences to all who knew him.

Subject: RE: Obit: Tom Gibney (April 9, 2005)
From: GUEST,deanc
Date: 12 Apr 05 - 12:19 PM

Tom was a really great musician. He played a bunch of instruments really well, but his real talent was singing. It seems like every time I heard him sing a song his version was the definitive one. He had a voice that I think of as quietly powerful, much like the man behind it.
As others have mentioned the joy in his music was obvious, but I think it was just an extension on his outlook on life. He seemed to enjoy life to the fullest, even when it was becoming clear that he was not going to beat the cancer that struck him. Certainly, I'll miss his music, but even more I'll miss him.
I can't even imagine how much his family will miss him. May he rest in peace.
Dean

Subject: RE: Obit: Tom Gibney (April 9, 2005)
From: GUEST,Alan and Marnie Oakes
Date: 12 Apr 05 - 02:57 PM

Goodbye Tom and Godspeed. As long as I live I will remember your smile and gentleness and the way you sang from your heart.

Patti, Michael and David, thank you for allowing us to share in the time that Tom had left. You and Tom have touched our lives in a very special way.

Subject: RE: Obit: Tom Gibney (April 9, 2005)
From: kendall
Date: 12 Apr 05 - 03:53 PM

The Grim reaper is spending too much time among we folkies.

Subject: RE: Obit: Tom Gibney (April 9, 2005)
From: RiGGy
Date: 12 Apr 05 - 04:41 PM

Blown away by this.... I knew Tom and his sister Eileen for years in Boston. After he moved to Princeton, I was so honored to take his place singing in The Angel Band along with Lisa Neustadt and Jean Redpath.   I enjoyed his work with David Jones and Heather Wood so very much. Please send them all my best. Love to hear from Eileen.

Riggy

Subject: RE: Obit: Tom Gibney (April 9, 2005)
From: Padre
Date: 12 Apr 05 - 10:16 PM

A wonderful singer, and a great guy to talk with. He will surely be missed. May he rest in peace

Padre

Subject: RE: Obit: Tom Gibney (April 9, 2005)
From: GUEST, NOMADman
Date: 12 Apr 05 - 10:19 PM

This is awful, just awful. I had been listening to the Poor Old Horse CD in my car over and over again just this past week. I had so hoped to see the group perform again in person. Tom will be very sorely missed.

Sadly,
John

Subject: RE: Obit: Tom Gibney (April 9, 2005)
From: Janice in NJ
Date: 12 Apr 05 - 11:19 PM

I only heard Tom Gibney perform once, and that was at a festival in Brooklyn, NY, two summers ago. I was quite impressed. I learned about his death Sunday morning at NEFFA, when I showed up for Judy Cook's Songs for a Sunday Morning singaround and found that it had been replaced with a memorial for Tom. He was such a young and talented person. This is terrible news. May his soul rest in peace.

Subject: RE: Obit: Tom Gibney (April 9, 2005)
From: KathWestra
Date: 14 Apr 05 - 07:36 AM

Tom was a man whose singing gave those around him a taste of pure joy. A real light has gone out with his passing. His journey of the past two years had been such a struggle, but he appeared to live each day with hope and gratitude, and the grace with which he and his family faced his disease was truly inspiring. Thank you, Tom, for helping all of us realize why we sing, and for singing with us. We're all better for having known you. Much love to Patti, Michael and David. Kathy

Subject: RE: Obit: Tom Gibney (April 9, 2005)
From: GUEST,Mark Gilston
Date: 14 Apr 05 - 11:33 AM

Tom was a wonderful friend, a great musician and a genuinely good person. In addition to being a superb singer, he was a great fiddle player who really felt the music. It was his fiddle playing as much as anything which inspired me to learn and play Swedish music. I was fortunate enough to record nine pieces with him this last year, five of which will be coming out on a new CD next month called Troll Road. Patti, thank-you so much for encouraging him to play and sharing his art and love in these last difficult times. I know it's taken great courage for you, Micheal and David and my heart goes out to you all. Tom's passing is a great loss for our entire community. Mark