F. X. Tobin

F.X. Tobin

1942 - 2014 PITTSFIELD F.X. Tobin, 71, passed away on June 6, 2014, in Mesa, Ariz. The artist-at-large was surrounded by his family, friends and music. He was born in Pittsfield on Oct. 16, 1942, the oldest of seven children to the late Frank and Mary Tobin. F.X. studied painting and drawing at the Boy's Club in his home town and was a graduate of St. Joseph's High School. He studied portraiture with William Schultz who led F.X. to the Vesper-George School of Art, Boston, where he was trained in the basic tools of the artist craft. A graduate of the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, he obtained his Master's of Fine Arts Degree in Painting and Drawing, at Arizona State University, Tempe, Ariz. A talented fine and commercial artist, F.X. resided in Tempe until his passing. He painted commercially in Los Angeles and Arizona for over 30 years. His abilities ranged from classical, surrealist, to large murals and sculpture design. He most recently worked as an art history professor at Collins College in Tempe. A loving husband of 32 years, an amazing father and a fantastic brother and uncle, F.X will be greatly missed by his family and countless friends he met along the way. His creativity will live on in all of us - his humor, his laugh and his enthusiasm were infectious. He is survived by his wife, Lisa Tobin of Tempe; his two daughters, Jesse Tobin of Pittsfield and Margo Tobin of Tempe; his sister Mary Downing and husband, Jack Downing; his sister, Bernadette Clay and husband, Mike Clay; his brother, Bill Tobin and wife, Eileen Tobin; his brother, Jay Tobin and wife, Lois Tobin; his brother, Ben Tobin and wife, Beth Tobin; his brother, Chris Tobin and wife, Nancy Carson, and his wonderful nieces and nephews. Art was a passion for F.X. Tobin and working on art was his life-long labor. F.X.'s body of work will be celebrated with a month-long showing in July at the Lichtenstein Center for Arts at 28 Renne Ave in Pittsfield. There will be a public opening reception with the artist's family on Thursday, July 3, 2014, from 5 to 8 p.m. FUNERAL NOTICE: A Memorial Service for Mr. F.X. Tobin will be held on Saturday, June 28, 2014, at 10 a.m. at St. Michael the Archangel Mausoleum in St. Joseph Cemetery. There will be no calling hours. A reception will immediately follow at Bill Tobin's, 261 Gale Ave. in Pittsfield. Please visit www.dwyerfuneral.com to leave condolences and remembrances.