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Tom Slaney Obituary
J. Thomas Slaney Jr., 80, of Fountain Hills, passed away on July 26, 2011. Tom was born on April 14, 1931 in Pittburgh to Mildred V. and Joseph T. Slaney, Sr. He is survived by his wife Sheila, children Deborah, Kara and James, granddaughters Chrystal and Selina, great-granddaughter Emily, and numerous extended family. Tom was preceded in death by his parents and his loving brother James. A gifted musician, Tom started his own Big Band group while playing in the US Air Force Band in Fairbanks. In the 1950s he played First Trumpet for legends including Maynard Ferguson and Stan Kenton. After learning to fly, Tom was hired in 1960 by Allegheny Airlines (now USAirways) where he became known for excellence in flying and willingness to mentor new pilots. His safety record was impeccable. Tom Slaney will be greatly missed by his family and friends, and remembered for his warmth, love, and sense of humor. Memorial donations may be made to Hospice of the Valley, 5801 E. Mayo Blvd., Phoenix, AZ 85054.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Tom Slaney
Vanessa Van Dongen
July 25, 2023
My dear friend, Tom, I was just talking about you the other day. Great memories! You took me under your wing you showed me the ropes You were a great friend and a great pilot. Miss you dearly.
vanessa VAN DONGEN
July 25, 2022
Surely miss you my friend! Think of you often! Vanessa
Vanessa Van Dongen
July 25, 2021
I think of you often and what a great person you were great pilot great friend surely missed.
Vanessa Van dongen
May 27, 2015
Wow gone but not forgotten! I thought about you Tom the other day. Love and muss you. Vanessa
May 9, 2012
We remember Tom as such a great guy and such a delight to be on trips together.
We extend to you; Tom's family, our deepest sympathy.
Danny @ Sonny Bellman
Joe Novak
May 6, 2012
Sorry to see this - stumbled across it on the net.
Joe Novak
The Big Cheese
James Slaney
February 2, 2012
chrystal slaney
September 4, 2011
I have many memories with my dah-yee growing up...he was alway fun to be around even when he would pretend to call and be the easter bunny and santa on the holidays...I will always miss and remember all the times we visited him growing up...RIP Dah-yee. I love you
Selina Slaney
September 3, 2011
Dah-yee I'm going to miss you. To all the family, I know he will be missed.
James Slaney
August 21, 2011
RIP My Father.
Tom's 80th birthday cake w/ family photos
August 12, 2011
Stewart Spencer
August 11, 2011
In the winter of 1972, when I was a junior in high school, I was hanging out at the Slaney's home in West Springfield, Virginia along with my friend, Robert Werth. Deborah was our mutual friend. While we were there, a sudden snow storm made it impossible to get my dad's car up the icy/snowy hill. We had to stay overnight. Mr. Slaney wasn't too keen on the idea. I can't imagine why he didn't trust us. Perhaps he hadn't forgotten what it was like to be a teenage boy. We watched "West Side Story" on the television that night. My deepest sympathy to Deborah and the rest of her family.
Dad, Deep Creek, MD
August 9, 2011
Carol & Charles Anderson
August 9, 2011
To my best friend and her family, our thoughts are with you during this time of sorrow. We’ll always be there for you.
With Love, BFF, Carol and Charles
Jim Garbett
August 9, 2011
Arnie and Kara:
I remain sorry to hear about your dad's passing.
My thoughts are with you and your family.
Jim Garbett
Ed Kalabus
August 7, 2011
Class Act seems to be a common thread when Capt. Tom is mentioned. He was that and a lot more. Farewell my friend
Ed
Mark
August 7, 2011
Our World is a better place as we all have been blessed with Tom in it.. I am truly sorry for your loss.. Cordially Mark Yuskaitis USAirways PHL 767...
Dad with Maynard Fergusen
Kara Gentile
August 5, 2011
Dad, Deb, & Kara Scottsdale, AZ
Kara Gentile
August 5, 2011
Billy and Debbie Lineberry
August 5, 2011
Kara and Arnie, Heartfelt condolences to you and the rest of Captain Slaney's family. Stan Kenton was probably there to welcome him back to be his First Trumpet again.
Arnie, Kara, Dad, & Sheila
Kara Gentile
August 5, 2011
PIT operations! Dad and Kara
Kara Gentile
August 5, 2011
Tom in uniform-U.S. Air Force Fairbanks, AK
Kara Gentile
August 5, 2011
Dad playing with the Stan Kenton Band-SFO
Kara Gentile
August 5, 2011
Dad, Mom, & Deb..Glendale, CA
Kara Gentile
August 5, 2011
Fairbanks, Alaska..Tom playing trumpet
Kara Gentile
August 5, 2011
Kara Gentile
August 5, 2011
When I was 10 years of age...Dad brought me along on his CV-580 trip out of DCA to DTW for a long overnight (wa-hoo)! I will always remember sitting in the cockpit jumpseat and putting the landing gear lever down thinking that I was really flying the airplane! Fifteen years later when I actually flew the DC-9 (don't tell anyone!), Dad was the first phone call I made to tell him about my descent! Although he never taught me how to fly an airplane, he did teach me how to soar!
Deb Iwerks
August 4, 2011
Haiku for Dad
Blinding camera lights
reveal a mouse's candy feast.
Christmas in Dad's den.
Jerry Peterman
August 2, 2011
My sincerest condolences along with my wife, Linda to the family. Your smile and expertise lit up the cockpit, and my life. We'll meet again, my friend, in a better place; where the weather's always CAVU, no such thing as a "minimums" approach, and every landing is a greaser. Always in my heart and mind, Tom. Rest in peace.
Jerry Peterman
First Airplane-1954-Fairbanks, Alaska
Kara Gentile
August 2, 2011
August 2, 2011
Our thoughts & prayers are with you . Capt.Paul & Pauline Kinach
Vanessa Van Dongen
August 2, 2011
Tom was a great friend and had a heart of gold. I will remember him every time I make his swedish meatballs ,Tom loved to entertain and cook.We are all going to miss his sense of humor. We had great times in FLL aboard his boat. God bless you Tom. Its ironic you left us on 727. I guess you are flying that 727 but,I know you prefer the BAC-111. God has another angel in heaven.You will be truly missed .
Don Bullerdick
August 2, 2011
A pilots - pilot has passed away. When you as a F/O found out that Capt. Slaney was going to be your Capt. next trip a smile comes to you because you knew it was going to be a good one. Capt. Don Bullerdick (Retired) Kara sorry for your loss.
Oz Lamonds
August 2, 2011
It was a great pleasure to know Tom. He was a "Class Act" and He was missed when he retired and I'm sure that he'll be missed by his family. This pilot flew over 20,000 hr while with USAirways. Not many can say the same today.
His spirit will surround all who knew him.
Danny Bellman
August 2, 2011
Both Sonny and myself remember, with great fondness, Tom. He added to the richness of our lives. Rest in peace, Dear Tom.
Danny Bellman
Bill Waller
August 2, 2011
Very sad to hear about Tom. Had many trips with Captain Tom and visited him at his home at one point. A true "gentleman", Tom will be missed. My condolences to all of Tom's family. Bill Waller (Jupiter, FL)
John Gilbert
August 1, 2011
Knew Tom as a friend, neighnor, DCA based pilot, great musician that loved the big band music as I did. I trained him several times ,and later in my life boated and sponsered him to the yacht club I had belonged. I had many great times and recall that I never had any
issue that we did not agree on; airplanes, boats, drinks, or fun. God bless a fine man and same for the family I knew as well. John Gilbert
Cindy Barr
August 1, 2011
Such sad news about Capt. Tom. We knew him years ago when my husband, Capt.Bill Barr, & I lived aboard our Trumpy classic yacht in the 1970's & 80's in Palm Beach, FL. A funny story about Tom. He actually baby-sat our 2 young children & to make them behave he told them that if they were bad, "the big hand from the sky" would get them ?. We were in the engine room when he said that & he pointed up & I can still see the looks in their eyes. He had a wonderful sense of humor. I will always remember him.
Russ Barlow
August 1, 2011
As a new hire pilot in 1982 I had the good fortune to fly several trips with Tom. He had a genuine gift for passing on his vast flying experience to us new guys without ever making us feel like we were being "talked down" to. Besides being a great Captain, Tom was also a great role model to all passed his way.
Wayne Grimes
August 1, 2011
Flew with Tom a lot in DCA back in the CV-580 days. Great guy to be with, really enjoyed being around him.
wayne grimes
August 1, 2011
Tom and I had many great trips in the DC-9. One memorable one was a flight to Norfolk Va. and on approach we encountered windshear and since it was my leg I made the now what is our standard escape manuver. back then as Capt. Tom would say it's just a little gusty you'll be fine. Thanks for the maney great memories and learning experiences, Iknow you will have a great flight West. Capt. Larry Schaefer USAIRWAYS RET. PIT
August 1, 2011
As a New Hire Co-pilot in 1967, I had a number of opportunities to fly with Tom out of the Washington base on the Convair 580, and the Fairchild F-27. Tom was fun to fly with, and he was eager to show a "New Guy" how it was done. He had a healthy sense of humor, and we had some good laughs. I regret that he has passed on, but I'm pleased that his suffering has come to an end. RIP.
Joe Kernan, Martinsville, Va.
Vanessa Clark
August 1, 2011
God Bless You Tom You will be truly missed.
alvahn mondell
August 1, 2011
I have many great memories of Tom amd our times spent together Tom was a class act and a close friend!
alvahn mondell
scott slaney
August 1, 2011
Summers in the backyard of Nana and Pappu's house, easter egg hunts, picking apples from the apple tree, hours at the playground near McKay, the walk back covered in dirt, catching fire flies; all these memories we cousins share are attributable to two brothers and their respective families. For these people we should be thankful.
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