7 replies to this topic

[Astronomics]

It is difficult to write in words what one person meant to so many.  It is with a heavy heart that I write this.  Over the weekend of April 27th, 2019 Tom Trusock suddenly passed away.  In today’s modern age the reach of a person’s heart, soul, and mind has no bounds.  Tom Trusock was a perfect example of that.

 

 

First and foremost, Tom was loving husband to Jennifer and devoted father to his two girls Angela and Sammy.  They will need all of our thoughts and prayers through this difficult time.

 

Secondly, Tom was a teacher.  His students in the Bad Axe PSD have already begun to reach out with memories of Tom and what he did for them and how he changed their lives with his love of math.

 

And for our Astronomical community, Tom was a writer and educator as well.  His ability to take products and make them accessible through the written word was his gift to all of us.  His love of astronomy and this website was evident in every article he composed.

 

Tom wrote articles for CloudyNights.com (as well as being one of the first editors of the site), Astronomy Magazine, and various other publications.  He usually gave several talks a year at various astronomy events all over North America.  Tom was a beacon of light in this community.

 

It is impossible to put everything Tom Trusock represented in a few paragraphs and words.  We all know how Tom touched our lives and enriched the lives of countless others.  His family could use our support now in their difficult time, so I have set up a GoFundMe page for them.  All donations go to the Trusock family to help with funeral expenses as well as anything else that may arise.

 

Here is a link to the GoFundMe page.

[Don W]

I am very saddened by this. I've known Tom since  before Cloudy Nights. We were involved in several Yahoo astronomy groups in the 90s. We, along with several others were helping out Alister with Cloudy Nights before and then after it was taken over by Astronomics. Spent many hours with him observing and talking and enjoying some good scotch in Michigan's UP along the shores of Lake Superior. Also spent a lot of time with him on the phone over the years. He was a gentle giant, loved by all, his family, friends, students, faculty and parents. He loved to teach, whether it was Mathematics to his high school students or to other amateur astronomers. He willingly gave of himself unselfishly and completely. I'm not sure he really knew how much he affected so many.

 

Rest in Peace, Tom.

[dr.who]

God Speed Tom Trusock. May flights of Angels sing thee to thy rest.

[desertstars]

I am a writer, and finding the right words is what I do.

 

But not this time.

 

 

 

[Scott Beith]

I'll miss you brother.  Rest in peace.

[half meter]

Miss ya big guy. Whenever I see three stars dat form a triangle, I'll think of you, eh? 

[square_peg]

I'll be watching for you.

[cbwerner]

Friends,

 

I am posting this here on behalf of our fellow member star drop. A small group held a simultaneous vigil at the moment of sunset at Tom's home town on the day of his memorial service. The vigil was simply that we would go outside at the appointed time, look at the sky, and remember Tom and his gifts to us in that moment.

 

When Ted (star drop) did that he was moved to words. I am not a poet, but I do appreciate them. I hope his words move you as they did me.

 

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Tomorrow

 

 

Through swaying trees we gaze upon
An evening crescent betwixt the sheaths
New beginnings, of soon to be leafs
Remembering our friend who has gone on

 

We shall all follow the path to the end
Routes that we take are different for each
Along the way we have goodness to teach
Until the day we join our dear friend

 

Too small to comprehend the necessity
We wonder now as upward we do stare
The grace of God we pray you do share
Immersed in His love for all eternity

 

 

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Thanks Ted for that tribute. :