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I have received information from a trusted classmate that Tom died in November 2014. Also found corroboration on an internet search engine.
Tom was born July 1942 and was 72 at the time of his death. Tom had been very happy in his old age, still singing in cabarets and living a good life in Cathedral City CA. There are many pictures of him on his profile page.
If you have any other information on our classmate Tom Edsall, especially an obituary, I would like to put it up on this page. Please send it to me. Thank you, Marilyn Waide Lake
Tom's own words From his profile page
Comments:
Never married. I have been a very happy, well adjusted Gay man since I can remember. I have many wonderful second family friends and relatives and even recently found I have a sister I never knew I had, to add to my already bustling sister list.
I have spent alot of my life traveling and performing and have a wonderful memory list that grows every day. A list of thousands of singing, performing gigs and everyone along the way. I am blessed to have had the life I have had and I am still going strong.I retired at 62, but I am singing 4 nights a week in a local popular San Francisco restaurant.
School Story:
I feel as though I graduated with a MASTERS in Life, from the WORLD SCHOOL of LIFE. I left Alton weeks after Graduation from AHS in 1960 and moved to Las Vegas Nevada, to begin my journey.
My memories of school life at AHS were not ALL that memorable, but it did open my mind to the possibilities that existed before me.I appeared in many theater projects from Plays and chorus at AHS to Alton Little Theatre projects and soon Knew exactly what I should pursue.
I must give credit too, to three outstanding teachers of that time, who helped to influence me. Cliff Davenport/Doris Rhue and Dorothy Colonius.If I were to walk into the hallowed Halls of AHS today, I would be very disappointed, If i did not see shrines to those specific teachers, who made a difference.
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Marilyn Hope Waide (Lake)
It is with great sadness that I leave these memories of Tom here on "In Memory." He and I were in drama classes, the drama club and Alton High Thespians together. He was a great actor and had a marvelous voice. He played the lead role in "The Man Who Came to Dinner," at AHS or the Alton Little Theatre (I don't remember which) and got wonderful reviews. He was a mainstay of the AHS drama department.
After high school, he acknowledged his gay orientation, traveled the world, sang in many, many exciting places and shows. In the last years of his life, he lived happily in Cahtedral City CA with his partner and sang weekly at a cabaret. He has some tunes up on You Tube. Also, there are several pictures of Tom and some info on his Classmates Profile that is still up on this site.
Tom was a good friend, who laughed at his own foibles and forgave those he "often" found in others. He will be missed. Rest in final peace, friend.
Perry Coons
I am sorry to hear of Tom's passing. Had hoped he would attend the reunion later this year. I recall him as a member of Mrs. Rue's chorus classes and his sense of hujmor. RI.P., Tom.
~Perry Coons
Tom Fearno
Tom and I sat next to each other in Chorus, with Doris Rue at the reigns. We were selected to be in the Boys Chorus and we had a daily exchange of comments.. At some point, after a seletion was complete I would say, "Tom, you are singing a little flat today...after which Tom replied, "Naw, your just a little Sharp!" Finally Doris had it up to her keyboard, she said, to the two of us, "That's why you're sitting together, you are now natural."
The Angels are now singing a little more harmonious now. With Peace, Tom Fearno
Roger Cooke
Tom Fearno's and Perry Coons's comments reminded me of Mrs. Rue, whom I hadn't thought of for years. She was a wonderful old lady, a perfectionist who got amazingly good music out of us. Tom Edsall was always an easygoing, amiable guy, and a great singer. I recall doing a performance of the Messiah one year with a church choir directed by Joe Voegeli (married to my cousin Ruth Ann---Joe is still alive, but Ruth Ann died 40 years ago). Tom was in the choir and sang with great gusto.
Marilyn Hope Waide (Lake)
It's wonderful how one comment leads to another and folks are remembered and praised. Truly a blessing to all of us.