Smokin’ Tom Gary RIP
Printed From: Top 40 Music on CD
Category: Top 40 Music On Compact Disc
Forum Name: Chat Board
Forum Description: Chat away but please observe the chat board rules
URL: https://top40musiconcd.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=8800
Printed Date: 08 September 2025 at 12:35pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.07 - https://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Smokin’ Tom Gary RIP
Posted By: Hykker
Subject: Smokin’ Tom Gary RIP
Date Posted: 29 August 2017 at 5:01am
I read on a broadcast-related mailing list that Smokin' Tom
Gary (real name Tom Osenkowsky) passed away yesterday after
a long battle with cancer.
I never met him, but had several email conversations with
him and he seemed a genuinely nice guy. RIP Tom.
|
Replies:
Posted By: aaronk
Date Posted: 29 August 2017 at 6:47am
Oh no! I'm very saddened to hear the news. I knew he wasn't well
because of cancer, but I didn't expect him to leave us so soon. May he
rest in peace.
-------------
Aaron Kannowski
http://www.uptownsound.com" rel="nofollow - Uptown Sound
http://www.919thepeak.com" rel="nofollow - 91.9 The Peak - Classic Hip Hop
|
Posted By: Yah Shure
Date Posted: 29 August 2017 at 8:02am
RIP, Tom.
More about Tom's fascinating career can be found here (detailed in the "read that here" link):
http://www.radioworld.com/news-and-business/0002/tom-osenkow sky-dies/340300
(Note: delete the space in "osenkowsky" when pasting the link)
|
Posted By: eriejwg
Date Posted: 29 August 2017 at 9:57am
So sad to read of the passing of another regular
contributing member to the forum. May he now be at
peace.
|
Posted By: Hykker
Date Posted: 29 August 2017 at 12:09pm
Here's another article on Tom, also from Radio World
magazine giving a more in-depth look at his life.
http://www.radioworld.com/columns-and-views/0004/the-
quiet-dignity-of-tom-osenkowsky/340243
One fact not noted in that article is that he was one of
the "gurus" on the Harris MW-1 transmitter, a popular 1000W
AM transmitter from the 70s/early 80s. I've had to deal
with several of them in my engineering career, and his tech
papers on it were invaluable.
|
Posted By: Brian W.
Date Posted: 29 August 2017 at 2:55pm
Oh, no! That's terrible news.
Geez, first Jim, then StereoScout from BSN, now Smokin' Tom
Gary. It's been a bad summer. RIP, Tom.
|
Posted By: Santi Paradoa
Date Posted: 29 August 2017 at 6:06pm
I'm also sorry to hear this news. Tom was another expert that many times contributed valuable info in our pursuit of uncovering correct single versions on CD. Tom will be missed. Cancer is not easy to lick. R.I.P. Mr. Gary.
-------------
Santi Paradoa
Miami, Florida
|
Posted By: MMathews
Date Posted: 29 August 2017 at 8:08pm
Very sad to hear. I must confess I was expecting this announcement soon. Tom emailed me about a month ago to let me know he had finally given up his very long, very difficult battle with two types of cancer and was entering home-hospice care.
We had a lot of contact last year about some rare oldies was looking for. Jim Abbott and myself helped him get what he wanted and he was thrilled. Even at the time he was suffering thru experimental chemo treatments - but he had a nearly unshakable confidence he would beat this...it was sad to hear he finally had to lay down his swords. I at least had the chance to say goodbye and wish him a comfortable and peaceful last few weeks.
So long Tom, now you rest.
And yes, this is a hard year. Jim Abbott a few months ago. Andy Balogh last week now this. :-(
|
Posted By: Paul Haney
Date Posted: 31 August 2017 at 8:33am
|