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Stories about Tom
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or would like to express your condolesances
please send it to us via our "contact" page.
From:
Joan Higbee
There are no words except one - love. For me Tom was kind, loving, gracious, spiritual ... and truly funny! Just an amazing person, with infinite interests and continued curiosity about the world and life. I met him in 2000 as a recent recruit to Korn/Ferry Miami, when my husband and I relocated from NYC. While Tom was a wonderful and supportive partner to work with, he had so many other interests to share - books, art, theater... but especially laughs. I will always remember that laugh, and loved it when I could make it happen. Tom (my dear friend, Tomas), I will always love you and miss you. May you rest in peace. Your friend, Joan
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From:
Moe Beck
The last time I saw Tom was at the memorial service for Mary Jo in Summerhill. It was great to get back in touch with him after so many years of long distance catch-up conversations. Tom was my date for the prom at Bishop Carroll in 1971! We share a love of music and art and we both loved animals. He did love to laugh, and liked telling me about his adventures abroad, for instance, running into Maggie Smith in a hotel in India! I will miss sharing those experiences with him. My condolences to his family and friends.
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From:
Deb Felix
I went to BC with Tom. He was quite a guy! So sorry for your loss.
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From
Pam Bopp Hoke
You made me remember how great growing up in Summerhill was. How special this town, our church, and family really are. I am so glad that we re-connected about 2 years ago. Your faith was so strong and you gave our church such beautiful gifts, gifts that will be in the church forever. Thank you. You and God are singing and playing the organ in heaven. Rest in peace. My sympathy to your family. My mom, Anna Mae Bopp, sends her sympathy too.
From The secretary of St. John's - Pam Bopp Hoke
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From
Randolph Tully, aka Randy
I am saddened at the news of the passing of my childhood friend and cousin Tom. Having just got the news this morning in California, it brings so many joyful memories to mind. Especially during the holidays. Tom was not only a dear friend, and cousin in my growing up years in Summerhill, he was an inspiration to go for it in life and beyond. I recall the endless hours we spent together hanging out in his loft. He inspired me to think beyond the small town we grew up in. I especially remember all those Christmas holidays, Tom did it the best. My times hanging out with Tom, Mary Jo, and Aunt Mary Grace and family are the best memories of growing up. I cherish them all. We have all lost a great friend, but I know he is in great company, with so many of our family in the next life he is entertaining them in the beyond. My most vivid memory of hanging out with Tom was when Aunt Mary Grace, in 1968, took us to see the movie, Romeo and Juliet. I think it was the first time I was in a movie theater. I was 14, it was an awesome adventure to go to the mall and do a Movie. Actually after sleepy Summerhill, it was a goliath of an adventure. That is only one of many thousands of good times hanging out with Tom and his family. My last visit with Tom was in 2002, when I had a chance to spend a wonderful day with him at his home in Florida. Tom surely lived life to the fullest; he inspired me in ways beyond description. We have all lost a good friend, but he was needed to inspire in the next place. Rest In Peace my Friend. Randy Paul Tully
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From:
Rick and Jennifer Chimelewski
Jennifer and I are sorry for your loss. Tom and I were "homeroom" mates for 12 years of school - starting with grade school in Summerhill and ending at Bishop Carroll. Rick C.
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From:
Millie Frank
I am so sorry for your loss. I talked with him at Mary Jo's Funeral.
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From:
Carla Connelly Portash
I hadn't see Tom for years but I did get to see him when Mary Jo passed away. What a great guy. He was much too young to leave this earth but he was able to enjoy this earth in his travels. I know Mom and Dad thought alot of him. You are all in our thoughts. Talk Care, Carla, Ron Portash & Family.
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From:
Ashley Young
Any time I got to spend time with Uncle Tom was precious time. Our bond was very deep, something I cannot describe and I am lucky to have gotten to spend as much time as I did with him. His loving words in every text and every e-mail will stay with me forever. I now know where my unconditional love for the town of Summerhill stems from... Until we meet again.
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From:
Jill Kleinfelter
For all of my life, Uncle Tom lived away. First in Washington, DC then in Miami. So when Uncle Tom would come back to Summerhill for a visit, it was a BIG DEAL. When I close my eyes and think of my Uncle Tom, I picture him sitting at our kitchen table and entertaining us with stories of his life, his work and his travels. There will never be a better story teller. I will miss you Uncle Tom, until we meet again.....
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From:
Cheryl Chiesa
Tom was an exceptional person. Very talented and loved the piano.
And as Uncle's would be try to bring out the talent in all his nieces and nephews.
I have an early memory of going to the church with Uncle Tom to practice the piano, well actually the organ at church. He played and sang "Killing Me Softly with His Song" which was popular at the time sung by Roberta Flack.
Over the years, when the song would come on the radio or if I'd hear it in passing I would always think of Uncle Tom sitting at the organ, playing and singing.
Now there's a talented organist in heaven playing for the choir.
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From:
Woody Argall
My heart is so broken from the loss of my long time friend Tom Connelly. We met in Washington DC in the mid 1980's. I remember hosting his 34th birthday at my home in Adams Morgan and since it has on Halloween it was a great costume party. In 1990 we had a wonderful trip to Italy. So many memories of that trip. In the last few months Tom was sending me emails about that trip. We both left DC about the same time, he move to Miami and I moved back to Los Angeles. December 31, 1990 was my first time in Miami and the first of many New Years spent with Tom in Miami. I especially remember New Years of 2000 at his home in Coral Gables with Tom and Zaw. I must share the text Tom sent me on his birthday this year. "Zaw is preparing a lovely dinner. Our wonderful neighbor Clara is coming over. Wish you were here. Thank you for wonderful memories and your kind friendship threw the years. Love, Tom" Tom was very spiritual and I believe he knew he was moving on. I spoke to him the Friday before he passed away and he thanked me for our friendship again. I had no idea he would leave us so soon. I know Tom is at peace and I will always remember a wonderful friend.
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From:
Scott Eisenhuth
It was October 27, 2014. I was having surgery the next day and I got this email from Tom:
"Heavenly Father...We call upon you and our guardian Angels. Please protect and love our Brother Scott. He is in need of your protection and healing. We trust him to you. Never leave him for even a second. We love you with all our heart. We shall be waiting over the rainbow for healing and pain free life. We shall wait upon a star and wake up with him. The dreams we dare to dream will truly come true. We trust in you.
Thomas Connelly Coral Gables, Florida"
"life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away"
Notice that saying at the end of Tom's email. It was part of his email signature. But, past that what else does this email show about Tom. I think it shows his love of family and his deep spiritual connection. Now we all will be over the rainbow and waiting upon a star to join again with Tom and family.
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From:
Carol Kizis
I just learned of Tom's passing this morning and am in complete shock. Tom and I met in a sociology course at Pitt almost 40 years ago. We sometimes would not hear from each other for long periods of time, but we when did reconnect, our conversations would pick-up like we had just talked only the day before. Despite the periods when we weren't in touch, I considered Tom to be one of my closest friends. I will miss his sense of empathy, intelligence and humor and will hold Tom in my thoughts and prayers.
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From:
Anne and Ron Walker
Our friend Tom
We loved getting to know Tom in our years with the Washington DC office of Korn/Ferry International. His smile always lit up any place where he happened to be, and we love this one of him in his obituary. It is pure Tom. He was taken from us way too young. We will miss him.
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From:
Helen Cabala
Words can not express the sadness we feel for your family. When Frank and I got married forty two years ago, Tom was kind enough to play the organ and sing for our wedding. As always, he did an amazing job, especially under the circumstances. Part way through our wedding, their was a storm and we lost the power in our church. Tom continued to sing acapella, and he was fabulous! I'm so glad that we had the opportunity to see him when he came home several years ago. Please call if you need anything. Your family will be in our thoughts and prayers every day. Love you all! Helen and Frank Cabala
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From:
Claire Connors
Dear Tom: You were such a dear friend, with a great sense of humor, well-read, a great "schmoozer", and a great tennis partner. I first met you at KFI (Korn Ferry) in NYC, 1981 or 1982. You came up to visit the "girls in the Research Dept." We all adored you and you made us laugh and brightened what was an otherwise dull job. I came to work in WDC because of you along with the KFI WDC office-mates; we were a great little work family. You helped me find my first apartment in Arlington, VA. At every Halloween I would think of your birthday and how you loved to decorate your office. I could go on and on with stories... You were taken from us way too early, I know that there was a need for you to brighten other paths, but that does not mean that we will not dearly miss you. Take care Tom and you will always remain in our hearts! Love & kisses-Claire
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From:
Carol Trexler Mangus
Janice, Bobby and Grace Ellen and families, I was so shocked to read the paper this morning. When Tommy and I talked at Mary Jo's funeral he had invited me down to Florida for a visit. I so wanted to go, but of course life at home postponed the trip. Oh, how I wish I would have taken him up on his offer. I am a procrastinator. He was a favorite person to me (as are all of you) and I will always remember the Sunday afternoon visits in Summerhill. It is a shame that we only reach out when it is to late. Eternal rest grant unto him Oh Lord, and may the perpetual light shine upon you. May you rest in peace Tommy
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From:
Nels Olson
I had the pleasure of working with Tom at Korn/Ferry when I first started in the business over twenty years ago. Tom taught me the ropes and always had time for a rookie to ask the basic questions. I am so sorry to hear of his passing.
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From:
Tevis Trower
Words cannot express the delight I felt in knowing Tom, nor the depth in which I will feel his absence. Zaw let me know prior to the service yesterday at their home that he thought there would be some comemmorative event in Pennsylvania? Please let me know if there is as I would so love to honor him. With deepest sympathy, Tevis Trower
tevis@balanceintegration.com
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From:
Cindy Shrift Friedman
I remember walking past the church in Summerhill and all of a sudden there would be a wicked rock and roll rif coming out of the pipe organ. Nothing like In the GaddaDavida coming out of the church. Thanks Tommy
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From:
Tonia Gordon
People come in and out of our lives everyday. Some we meet for a brief moment and never see again. Others stay only a short time before moving on.
Then there are those to whom we are closest...those who are interwoven in our daily lives. Whether the time together is long or short, some people imprint a memory that we will never forget and impact our lives in significant ways. My Uncle Tom was one of those people to me.
I admired Tom when I was a young girl. Always easily impressed by his stories and travels. When he visited, he always had a kind word and took time to make me feel special. I was in awe of his professional life as an Executive Head Hunter. Funny how years later my own career is in human resources.
I remember one Christmas in Summerhill. I was probably 12 or 13 years old. Uncle Tom was home for the holidays and had a gift for me (along with Jill and I assume Rob and Robert Aaron). I have no memory of what the boys might have received that year but I remember opening my first bottle of designer fragrance...Poison by Christian Dior. And I believe Jill got Lauren from Ralph Lauren that year. I also remember getting an eye shadow compact that I used for years after that. I don't remember receiving a Christmas gift from Uncle Tom after that year but that one gift made a lasting impression on a young girl.
Over the last few years, Uncle Tom would drop me an email from time to time. Always with a compliment and asking about my family. He emailed with prayers and good wishes once for a safe commute during one particularly bad winter. It was much appreciated at the time as it followed one of my worst drives home. Aunt Janice almost had an overnight guest on her doorstep that night. I sure will miss those emails.
Uncle Tom always seemed to have good timing and always made me smile. We never know how much time we will have here on this earth. Two years ago, shortly after I turned 40, Uncle Tom told me it was hard to believe (I was 40) because he still thought of himself as 26. (Another smile). Thank you for the memories Uncle Tom. You will be missed. Prayers & Blessings to you in heaven. Until we meet again. Love, Tonia
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From:
Grace Eisenhuth
My story--I am lucky to have two big brothers--Bob and Tom, but Tom and I were closer in age and grew up together.
Of course, I have many memories of growing up in Summerhill. One that comes to me now is going sled-riding down Main Street after it was blocked-off at the top and bottom by those barriers with the swinging, fuel burning, cannon balls.
It was dark--maybe as late as 6 pm! Tom and I went down Main street on the same sled when, suddenly, the steering didn't work and we headed straight for a parked car. Tom used his shoulders to stop us against the back bumper of the car. We stopped--unhurt. We never told Mom.
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