TOM OTERI

Saturday April 26th, Tommy passed on... We Miss you and Love you Tommy...

( Shown with Peggy Bradley )

OF Music Publisher and Fagan Manager

When Tom Oteri was asked to present a bio for this page, he started hemming an' hawing, first saying it's Fagan's site, then mumbling on about how he doesn't like to write these things--but, well, he could come up with something. (He's not the kind of guy to say no to a request if he can help it.) Said something about not liking to go into his whole past....The implication here is that he prefers to be a man of mystery. So we had to go to Dinah Tellya, for the scoop on this guy.

 

She said, "I hate to disappoint him on this, and I don't know his whole past, but I gotta tell you--he's no mystery to me." Here's what Dinah said about him:

 

Many years ago when Fagan was down and out (see Fagan bio), it was Tommy who took him him and put him on a path to songwriting stardom. Rich was once a street-person, even a drugged-out alcoholic, who now is a highly-disciplined and successful writer. I know Rich would be first to credit Tommy for that transformation.

I know Nashville's Hospice Program had a lot of good reasons for giving

Tom "The Caring Touch Award," which recognizes an outstanding volunteer for an

entire year ('98-'99). He began as a volunteer in 1995, saying "God has been

good to me and it's my turn to give something back." Since then he's

provided support--and real love--to more than 20 patients and their families.

One such family member actually said that Tommy is "better than a sunrise." He's helped to raise more than $18,000 for Alive Hospice. Concerts he organized include "Jazz Alive," featuring Ramsey Lewis.

Once he decorated a patient's room with balloons and wrapped several small gifts so the patient could have a party rather than being alone on his birthday. Another time, he took a patient's dog to the vet and paid the bill. He's taken others to hockey games and music shows. This is a man who puts time and money where his heart is.

 

 

I can't talk about Tommy's Hospice experience without making

special mention of Denver Smith, a patient everyone involved with

OF Music or Tom Oteri came to love. We lost him to Lou Gehrig's

Disease, as we knew we would. But the love and light this

extraordinary man brought to all of us will never be forgotten.

But there's still more room in Tommy's heart. I mean he's the guy who (along with Fagan) rescued a baby Easter chick they found on a sidewalk. Never mind they named him cacciatore. No one was ever going to put this chicken (that turned out to be a rooster) into a stewpot. They raised him in a box in their apartment until it became a nightmare of logistics--and then made sure "Catch" (as they called him) got a great life (to say nothing of his pick of hens) on a friend's farm. This is a man who loves animals. And his dog--Laverne? The epitome of "Lucky Dog." (Note: Vernie's passed on now....)

With "Catch"

With "Vernie"

Speaking of cacciatore, I also know how happy people are to learn they've been invited to dinner at Tommy's. One of the best cooks anywhere, he serves feasts that have become legendary, not only for heavenly taste, diversity of menu and sheer quantity, but for the great company and entertainment in the process. This is a man who treats a guest like royalty.

Typical gratitude of dinner guest--this time Bridgette Lanham

I know Tommy is the Grandfather of any kids' dreams. Starting with his own. But by now, most other kids he meets have become"virtual grandchildren" (to be blissfully "spoiled.") Though we're close in age, Tom often reminds me of my own (long gone) grandpa. It's the highest compliment I have to offer anyone. Never mind how much Tommy adores children--you can't miss how much children adore him. So he's no mystery to children either.

"Virtual Grandchild," Matt Royer. Note the credit card--

poised to fulfill Matt's desires...

 

 

 

Given Tommy's so crazy about kids, that's magnified when it comes to his own....

 

Cheri, Denise, Brian and Tommy

Brian, Cheri, Tommy Jr, Tommy Sr, Denise

So.... it could just be that this self-proclaimed "mystery man" mis-spent some of his youth. I don't know about that. But then he wouldn't be the first.

Costume--perhaps recalling younger days?

And all I know is that Tom Oteri is one of the warmest, funniest, most generous, supportive--and all-around finest people on the planet.

--Dinah Tellya

Email Tommy