Tom Size

1959 - 2016

Tom Size
October 10, 1959 - October 30, 2016
Resident of Pacheco
Tom Size passed away peacefully at home with his long-time partner, Kelly, and his beloved dog Rox by his side—not far from his music studio known to all who worked there as Tomland. Tom was a brilliant and respected sound engineer/music producer whose exceptional career took him all over the world and allowed him to work with some of the most respected and talented artists in the music industry.
Born in Albany, New York to Marilyn and Dale Size, the family, including his brother, John and sister, Sharon, lived in several states before settling in Walnut Creek, California in 1972. When Tom heard Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon at age 14, it ignited a passion for music that led him to the art of sound engineering. He recorded some of his earliest work with local bands in the garage studio he built in the family home. Tom attended Northgate High, Cal Poly State, and SF State. He later worked as a sound engineer at the Music Annex in Menlo Park for 3 years and Fantasy Studios in Berkeley for 11 years before going independent.
As an engineer/producer, Tom helped artists achieve the best of their craft and many have him to thank for capturing some of their most memorable performances. When it came to recording, he was intuitive and sensitive, turning his ear both to what was said and what was left unsaid in the studio. When it came to live mixing, he had the ability to stay one step ahead—even in what he referred to as "Throw & Go" situations. Whether in the studio or mixing live, Tom was always listening intently–not just to the mechanical aspects of music, but to the emotional impact it brings, always steering toward the best of both.
He will be remembered as a kind, funny, vibrant, trustworthy, and generous person who wouldn't hesitate to share his professional knowledge and expertise with anyone who asked. He was known on the road for being an extremely fast walker with a huge stride who would often leave band members in the dust and could always be spotted in a crowded venue or airport by that famous head of thick, silver-blonde hair.
When not in the studio or on the road, Tom loved to cook, ski, garden, golf, collect the latest in tech gear, capture incredible images with his camera, go wine tasting with good friends, take Windjammer Barefoot Cruises in his beloved Caribbean, and spend time in Cazadero where he and Rox earned the nicknames, Burning Man & Boulder Dog. Tom played hockey in his youth and was an avid Sharks' fan. After all the brilliant and varied music he worked on, when it came to his own listening preference, it usually came back to Jimmy Buffet because it put him in the island mood.
Tom proved a formidable challenger in his optimistic and brave journey with metastatic melanoma. His willingness to undergo immunotherapy will ultimately save the lives of others in the near future. He is survived by his partner Kelly O'Connell, mother Marilyn Size, sister Sharon Bradford and brother John Size. Also, brother-in-law Craig Bradford, sister-in-law Sue Size, first wife Robyn LaMarr and his O'Connell family who loved him like one of their own. Tom leaves behind his adoring soul mate, Rox and her sweet sibling cats, Pumpkin & Stella. He also leaves behind an enormous circle of friends and music industry colleagues throughout the world who will miss him dearly.
A private gathering to celebrate the life and legacy of Tom Size is being planned for a future date. Donations in Tom's name can be made to the Natural Resources Defense Council in honor of his love of organic gardening and his determination to help save bees.


View the online memorial for Tom Size