Tribute to Tom

By Ralph Fascitelli

I met Tom over two years ago after I joined the Board of Washington Ceasefire. We quickly realized we had a lot in common and became very close friends. We were the same age, had fathers who were educators, went to Ivy League schools, came from New England and wanted to make the world a better place. We golfed together, hiked together, socialized together and foughtfor common sense gun control together. You couldn't ask for a better friend. Tom was empathetic, unselfish, generous, upbeat, funny, smart, and willing to do anything at a moment's notice.

At the service it seemed like Tom had a dozen "best friends". That was his special gift...that he made time for everybody and made everyone feel special. Tom was definitely a giver..but what made him special was how much he gave and that he gave to so many. To us flawed humans, he was an inspiration. There truly were no negatives one could pin on Tom. If he was your friend, he was totally committed to the relationship.

Tom was unlike anybody I've ever known. He was an intelligent, urbane, wine connoisseur, fruitcake maker who was also tough as nails, intensely competitive and fearless. He could care less about personal wealth but spent thousands of hours raising money for causes he believed in.

You never fully appreciate what somebody means to you until they're gone. I think of my time with Tom as a gift...something rare and special....a bright light of inspiration that's better to experience if only for a limited time than never at all. Tom had a tremendous positive impact on all who came in contact with him...an impact that we who knew him will "pay forward" in his absence because that is what Tom would want us to do.

I'll miss Tom very much. But the enduring feeling is one of extreme gratitude for having the opportunity to be one of his "best friends"