John William Tomaszewski

John and I were in two musicals together, GODSPELL at Linton High in December of '77, and HAIR at Proctor's during the summer of '80. That smile, it could light up a room. And so talented! It was like he was a unicorn, a magical creature too amazing to be real. But unlike a unicorn, he was totally approachable, not knowing just how magical he was. High school is full of cliques and social structure....the jocks, the brains, the theater kids, the preppies, the artists, the hotties, .....John could have been the top banana in any of these groups if he wanted to. But he didn't want that, he just wanted to be John, and being John meant being part of everything and everyone.
We grew up in the same neighborhood, full of large families squeezed into small houses, with hard working parents who taught us to work for what we wanted, and to respect others. When I read all the things John accomplished in his lifetime, so many different careers, so many different talents, I am not surprised, but I am still amazed. John was special, he had a bright light that shone from his soul. When you were around him, you wished you could be more like him, so you tried a little harder to be a better person. Perhaps that was his greatest talent. Rest in peace, my friend

John always brought laughter to our home. As kids (he was 2 1/2 years older than me), I remember "boxing" with him one day when we had nothing better to do. He had me laughing and crying (we were boxing afterall) at the same time...he was that good.

I remember John and sitting on the porch. He once did a singing telegram in middle of restaurant for me. So sorry to hear of his passing. He was a unique individual. My thoughts are with the entire family.