Priley, Tom A. dearest son of Thomas "Chico" and Debra (Peter) Mugavero, beloved grandson of Tony De Vito and the late Frances, and the late Nick and Agnes Priley.
I had no idea Tom is no longer with us. I remember Tom as being happy,he smiled all the time, backstage at Fiddler on the Roof was a blast! So very sad .
I loved loved loved Tom Priley he would make me laugh like there was no tomorrow! I can't believe he passed away I had no idea until now. I will keep him in my heart and prayers.
I remember how much he made everyone smile. He was always so happy. I had no idea he had passed away until now. Very sad. Tom, we will keep you in our hearts.
Tom and I stayed close freinds from high school until he passed away. He was my best friend and losing him was unthinkable. I'd like to just say a few words about the many things he did so everyone else can be as proud of him as I am. He stayed with the theatre and managed to build some really great ties with the performing arts community. He was the resident choreographer/dancer for several theatres including Morton College, Bugle Boy Productions, Zazz Productions, and Only a Stage Children's Theatre, to name a few. There was hardly a time when he wasn't performing in or rehearsing for a show. I have never danced onstage without him and never will. Besides all of this, he leaves a legacy in the kids he taught in various dance classes, children's theatres and cotillions. He never fell out of love with Madonna, saw EVERY concert she played here in Chicago and wanted to be a back up dancer one day. He accomplished more in his time than some will ever do in theirs. He died unexpectedly in February of 2006. I will never know anyone else like him and part of me is who I am because of him. I carry a part of him with me every day and still miss him so much.
I am terribly saddened by your loss. Its times like these where you really think about how hard is it to keep in touch with your "friends" out of high school and you go through all the "what if's"? I knew Tom and considered him a friend but it sounds to me like your friendship was deeper and the loss has hit you hard. I do hope that you know he is in a better place and although I know that the phrase doesnt help heal just keep that close to your heart and I do hope you know that we are all so very much better having known Tom. His laughs, it appears, touched everyone and we will all take those memories to a place only we can. Take care.
Tom Priley! There's so much that I can say about him. Some of my fondest memories of him from grade school through high school were chasing the ice cream man and shouting obscenities (long story), riding bikes, theater - back stage and him on stage, 1989 Talent Show, Kiddieland the day before graduation with Amy (what a bunch of nuts!), his beautiful mother, his sense of humor, his smile, his talent, and most importantly, his friendship. We miss you terribly, Tom. Rest in Peace my friend.
I think, like everyone, it is so hard to come here and see classmates that have passed on, obviously too young. Tom was so awesome, his enthusiasm was always contagious.
I remember getting to hang out at the Morton College theater (because of my sister) and Tom was always there involved in every production. And boy oh boy could the theater people party! In addition to those college kids corrupting me with alcohol (heh) there wasn't a single party we went to where someone didn't break out into song and dance. Good times. I am so glad he got to do what he loved (and was so good at) until he passed.
Tom and I barely talked in high school, but got to know each other a bit after high school. He was struggling with trying to start his career and I was struggling trying to decide what to do with my life, waiting tables at Perkins. (Perkins was across the McDonalsd's at Harlem, where K-Mart was located.) We had some great conversations and became fairly decent friends, and then we drifted. I'd find out what he was doing here and ther, and was glad for his success. He is missed.
Tom, Pra-lee-anno, hard to comprehend "was" .... sweet, kind, HAPPY, enthusiastic, contagious of all of the above. Wracked my brain around trying to figure his last name and check in on him, yet it appears, he is checking in on all of us.........saddened, reality shocked, at a loss..so sad....but in tom-esque' fashion....SMILE that big toothy grin he owned..and ruled...if u r reading this far-u-2-know-it-2-b-true....tom owns the dimpled smile....xoxo
Linda A. Mejias (Zigmant)
I had no idea Tom is no longer with us. I remember Tom as being happy,he smiled all the time, backstage at Fiddler on the Roof was a blast! So very sad .Mary Ann Camp (Caprio)
I loved loved loved Tom Priley he would make me laugh like there was no tomorrow! I can't believe he passed away I had no idea until now. I will keep him in my heart and prayers.Theresa M. Pizzurro
I remember how much he made everyone smile. He was always so happy. I had no idea he had passed away until now. Very sad. Tom, we will keep you in our hearts.Bridget M. Bilik (Bilik-Christopher)
I can't believe this. He was such a great person who always made everyone laugh. He will be missed. He will forever be in my prayers.Amy K. Ritchie
Tom and I stayed close freinds from high school until he passed away. He was my best friend and losing him was unthinkable. I'd like to just say a few words about the many things he did so everyone else can be as proud of him as I am.He stayed with the theatre and managed to build some really great ties with the performing arts community. He was the resident choreographer/dancer for several theatres including Morton College, Bugle Boy Productions, Zazz Productions, and Only a Stage Children's Theatre, to name a few. There was hardly a time when he wasn't performing in or rehearsing for a show. I have never danced onstage without him and never will.
Besides all of this, he leaves a legacy in the kids he taught in various dance classes, children's theatres and cotillions. He never fell out of love with Madonna, saw EVERY concert she played here in Chicago and wanted to be a back up dancer one day. He accomplished more in his time than some will ever do in theirs.
He died unexpectedly in February of 2006. I will never know anyone else like him and part of me is who I am because of him. I carry a part of him with me every day and still miss him so much.
Lisa Powell (Landis)
Amy,I am terribly saddened by your loss. Its times like these where you really think about how hard is it to keep in touch with your "friends" out of high school and you go through all the "what if's"? I knew Tom and considered him a friend but it sounds to me like your friendship was deeper and the loss has hit you hard. I do hope that you know he is in a better place and although I know that the phrase doesnt help heal just keep that close to your heart and I do hope you know that we are all so very much better having known Tom. His laughs, it appears, touched everyone and we will all take those memories to a place only we can. Take care.
Angeline M. De Francisco
Tom Priley! There's so much that I can say about him. Some of my fondest memories of him from grade school through high school were chasing the ice cream man and shouting obscenities (long story), riding bikes, theater - back stage and him on stage, 1989 Talent Show, Kiddieland the day before graduation with Amy (what a bunch of nuts!), his beautiful mother, his sense of humor, his smile, his talent, and most importantly, his friendship. We miss you terribly, Tom. Rest in Peace my friend.Karen A. Talaga
I think, like everyone, it is so hard to come here and see classmates that have passed on, obviously too young. Tom was so awesome, his enthusiasm was always contagious.I remember getting to hang out at the Morton College theater (because of my sister) and Tom was always there involved in every production. And boy oh boy could the theater people party! In addition to those college kids corrupting me with alcohol (heh) there wasn't a single party we went to where someone didn't break out into song and dance. Good times. I am so glad he got to do what he loved (and was so good at) until he passed.
Joseph J. Schuirmann
Tom and I barely talked in high school, but got to know each other a bit after high school. He was struggling with trying to start his career and I was struggling trying to decide what to do with my life, waiting tables at Perkins. (Perkins was across the McDonalsd's at Harlem, where K-Mart was located.) We had some great conversations and became fairly decent friends, and then we drifted. I'd find out what he was doing here and ther, and was glad for his success. He is missed.Dina M. Kaczmar (Stollfus)
Tom, Pra-lee-anno, hard to comprehend "was" .... sweet, kind, HAPPY, enthusiastic, contagious of all of the above. Wracked my brain around trying to figure his last name and check in on him, yet it appears, he is checking in on all of us.........saddened, reality shocked, at a loss..so sad....but in tom-esque' fashion....SMILE that big toothy grin he owned..and ruled...if u r reading this far-u-2-know-it-2-b-true....tom owns the dimpled smile....xoxo