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San Francisco State University

Thomas Hazleton Obituary

Thomas Hazleton September 27, 1942 ~ March 13, 2006 OCEANSIDE, CA - Thomas Hazleton, 63, former resident of Pacific Grove, died on March 13, 2006 in Oceanside, California. He is survived by his wife, Anne Marie, sons Geoffrey, Christopher and Nicholas, sister Capt. Nancy A. Hazleton (USPHS, ret.), aunts Mrs. Claire Pelich and Mrs. Eleanor Babcock and many cousins. His parents, George T. Hazleton and Verna M. Hazleton, preceded him in death. Tom was born at the Monterey Hospital on September 27, 1942. He studied piano with Robert Forbes of Carmel. He began playing the pipe organ at the Methodist Church when he was 13 years old and was staff organist at the Carmel Presbyterian Church, and organist and choir director at St. Mary's By-the-Sea Episcopal Church. Tom graduated from Pacific Grove High School in 1960. He attended the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, San Francisco State University, and the Curtis Institute in Philadelphia. Tom enjoyed a world-wide reputation as a peerless classical pipe organist and theatre organist. He was named Organist of the Year by the American Theatre Organ Society and was also a Fellow of the Society. Tom performed on most major classical and theatre organs, including Grace Cathedral, Balboa Park, Crystal Cathedral, Wanamaker's, Riverside Church, St. John the Divine, Radio City Music Hall, Washington National Cathedral and Notre Dame de Paris. He recorded over 60 LPs, cassettes and CDs. There will be a Requiem Mass at 3:00 PM on April 8, 2006 at All Saints' Episcopal Church, San Diego. The family suggests memorial contributions to the All Saints' Episcopal Church Organ Fund, 625 Pennsylvania Avenue, San Diego, California 92103. Burial will be at Mission Memorial Cemetery at a later date.

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Published by Monterey Herald on Mar. 24, 2006.

Memories and Condolences
for Thomas Hazleton

Sponsored by Rich Lewis.

29 Entries

Ray Thursby

March 20, 2007

My contacts with Tom were infrequent, but are fondly remembered. He was a brilliant and creative musician, but my strongest memories of him are of his sense of humor and willingness to share the joy of music. He was one of those rare people who combined incredible talent with genuine humanity.

Robert Dilworth

March 20, 2007

We all, at DTOS miss you. The theatre organ world is just not the same anymore. There is no one to replace you and the music you could create.

Tom at my Wicks organ, Pittsburgh, March 1998.

March 20, 2007

Tom and Me in Pittsburgh, Church of St. Therese, March 1998

March 20, 2007

Tom and me at St. Peter's Catholic Church Chapel in Memphis, February 2005

March 20, 2007

Tom Hazleton and I on Friday, 16 June 2000 at the rededication of the Grand Kilgen Organ at the National Shrine of the Little Flower, Royal Oak, MI.

March 20, 2007

Frank and Jan La Fetra

March 19, 2007

Tom was not only the consummate artist; he was such a nice person to know personally.
He is missed, and the world of pipe organs will not soon, if ever replace his tasteful, competent, and always pleasing place at the console (any console!)

Gordon Belt

March 19, 2007

Magnificant performer and a good friend who will be missed.

Grahame Davis

March 19, 2007

A few days ago, I realized that Tom had been gone for a whole year. I did not know him well as a person but did know him well as a musician. I tuned for him on one occasion when he played a fine concert in Phoenix. We had lunch together and talked about pipe organs and organbuilding well into the afternoon. His "eclectic" but always-musical approach to pipe organ design and tonal finishing was, and remains rare in the world. I am honored to be looking after one of the instruments which benefited from his great musical mind......the pipe organ at the Nethercutt Collecton in Sylmar CA. It is a rare privilege to be able to make my small contribution to his memory by keeping this instrument in concert condition and working to assist the present Curator in maintaining the large amount of Tom's music we are lucky to have on the Uniflex player. I regularly listen to his rendition of Parry's Jerusalem...it is just marvellous and helps me spot any tuning issues. Tom was well loved around the far west and southwest and we all miss him a great deal. May he rest in peace.

Margaret Hummel [Bellisomi]

April 26, 2006

Thank you, Tom for your wonderful contribution to the King of Instruments and to those of us who have been inspired by your amazing talent. Thanks for getting me started so many years ago. I'll miss you but will always remember you. God bless you.

Peggy McCulley Casper

April 24, 2006

Long before he played the organ, Tom, Tommy then, played the teacher's piano at Pacific Grove's Lighthouse Avenue Elementary School. Even as children, we knew Tom was special; we didn't know the word "gifted." We were in awe; he played by ear and with obvious joy.

Jason Neumann-Grable

April 7, 2006

I worked with Tom when we were both at the Rodgers Organ Company. One of my fondest memories was the time we moved a big Rodgers into Jonas Nordwall's church in Portland (100-rank pipe organ). Their concert ended with a double-organ version of "The Ride of the Valkyries" that was one of the most hair-raising experiences these ears have ever heard.

Bill Schumacher

April 5, 2006

It was a great shock to learn of Tom's passing. 63 is too young to go. Tom made two theatre organ concert tours to Australia and was a guest in my home on both tours. I have great memories of those times.

The world has lost a great musician.

My condolences to Mimi & the boys.

High Above Palm Desert 4 Pm March 13,2006

April 4, 2006

Paramount San Francisco Poster 1961

April 4, 2006

Grand Rapids March 4, 2006

April 4, 2006

Adrian Phillips Residence Noon March 13, 2006

April 4, 2006

Rick Weil

April 4, 2006

The passing of the Orchestral Organist, Tom Hazleton, is unbelievable. The loss of Tom as a great and generous friend is indescribable. I was fortunate to attend Tom's first public appearance at the WurliTzer in the San Francisco Paramount (Granada) Theatre in 1961. That event started a 45 year friendship. Because of Tom's generosity and desire to share musical experiences, he encouraged me to attend many events over the years. Most recently in Grand Rapids, Michigan to hear a WurliTzer on March 4, 2006. This would be the last of his public appearances at a WurliTzer. Two days after this concert he called and said, "Why don't you come to Phoenix? There is an instrument there you MUST hear!" So, we drove to Scottsdale, where he did a Classical / Pops concert on a pair of Allens. Then, on March 13, 2006, Tom took us to Phoenix to the Adrian Phillips Residence. What a thrill it was to hear Tom explore the orchestral voicings of this fabulous Midmer Losh instrument. As he drove back to Oceanside that afternoon, he was on top of the world, having just had so much fun. He was very excited about many future programs that were planned. My dear friend, your music will live on, BUT your friendship can never be replaced. You will be in my heart forever.

Bill Smith

March 30, 2006

I Met Tom Hazleton only once, at a concert jointly sponsored (as I recall) by an AGO Chapter, a chapter of ATOS, and an Allen dealer. But that one meeting was a profoundly powerful one. Mr. Hazleton played both classical and popular selections on instruments of both types. His versatility was impressive, but even more striking was the beautiful music that he was able to coax from an Allen three-decker that was a couple of generations old (a 900-series instrument, if I recall correctly). It has been said that one mark of a true artist is what he is able to accomplish using only limited resources - as in the famous "Paganini and one string" story. Mr. Hazleton made a deeply lasting impression on all who met him and heard him play. He was a true artist.

Steve Worthington

March 28, 2006

Devastated! Is the only way to describe my feelings upon hearing the news of Tom's passing. The world has lost yet another Great Musician. I hope he's still "taking 'em to Glory Honey!" Tom you will be missed by so many... Condolences to the family.

David Evangelides

March 28, 2006

Our deepest sympathy to the family of a beloved musician. Tom was a blessing in his work, and an inspiration to myself and many others who are involved in Theatre and Church Organ work. Through recordings of his work, we will continue to benefit from Tom's gracious spirit, character and talent.

To the family, may the Lord Bless and comfort each of you.

Gary Hanson

March 27, 2006

Tom Hazelton was a consummate musician, and a good friend for over twenty years of the Dairyland Theatre Organ Society. I will never forget his rendition of "So Beats My Heart for You" at the Riverside Wurlitzer. He was a great friend personally, a house guest, and always a warm and helpful person to me in the theatre organ world. There will never be another person in my life to replace the artistry of Tom.

Scott Foppiano

March 27, 2006

Tom's departure is a devastating loss both musically and personally to those who knew and loved him. As a teacher he was patient, insightful and always put joy into learning something new or just improving existing music. As a friend and mentor, he has no peer and will always be remembered as the kind, generous and genuinely humorous gentleman he was. Tom, you are not forgotten. Until we meet again..."you just go out there and run that organ up to glory!"

Ken Kukuk

March 27, 2006

It must be 40 years ago I met Tom. He was to play a concert at the Wiltern Theater in Los Angeles. He came up in the chamber to help me tune. Not many musicians do that!

What a remarkable talent he had! From beautiful ballads to low down and dirty. He could do justice to it all! And his ability to improvise and weave popular tunes into a classical format was truly amazing, to say the least. Many a time there was an amusing chuckle when we figured out what he was doing. Tom, you left us way too soon, and you will truly be missed.

Donna Parker

March 27, 2006

The loss to the music world is tremendous; the loss of my friend immeasurable.

Karen Musselman

March 26, 2006

Tom probably wouldn't remember me, but he knew my husband, Ron Musselman. I have many wonderful memories of hearing Tom's wonderful artistry at the organ at various concerts. One piece that touched Ron and I was Tom's rendition of "Sheanandoah". We were both in tears after we heard it played. It was so beautiful! It was truly inspired music. I believe it was played on the San Sylmar organ. Tom's musical talent was a gift from God. My husband, Ron, passed away in 2003. I am sure he was there to greet Tom. There must be an organ in heaven where Tom can play music in praise to Almighty God. I'm sure Ron must be enjoying it. May God's love and comfort surround all of his family and friends at this time.

Sincerely,

Karen Musselman

Susan Etheridge

March 26, 2006

We have lost a great organist. He was such a friend of the organ and especially a good friend of all of us who played the organ, no matter what level. I will remember with fondness the time he played "Jesus loves me" with "around the world" arrangements! Good bye and God speed to you. I know that you'll be in heaven playing the biggest and best of all organs.

Edward Stout III

March 25, 2006

Tom and I were friends for forty-eight years. We worked together at the San Francsico Paramount and Avenue Theatres and at Grace Cathedral. His rare gift of always taking a tune where it wanted to go, his ability to draw the best sounds out of a given organ and his respect for the composer set Tom in his special box seat. He was a giving musician, always wanting to help young organists with his special insight. I cannot begin to think of the organ world without Tom Hazleton at the rudder.

Tom De Lay

March 25, 2006

The shock of Tom's death has taken yet another bit of enjoyment of the theatre organ away. Tom was absolutely THE GREATEST! Farewell my friend, for now. Godspeed GTH!

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