Thomas J. Nava

Thomas J. Nava obituary, Kingston, MA

Thomas J. Nava

Thomas Nava Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers on Jul. 18, 2025.
Thomas J. Nava, a Kingston musician and onetime guitar player for the infamous punk rocker GG Allin, died on July 3 at the age of 61 while in pursuit of an adventure - seeing a rodeo in Wyoming. Persistently optimistic and always up for a party, Tom planned the trip to the Cody Stampede Rodeo despite being on end-of-life care. He battled cancer off and on since 2007, and stopped treatment only after doctors convinced him it would no longer help.

Tommy was the baby of the family, born on July 19, 1963, to George R. Nava and Josephine Chandler Peterson Nava, and grew up on a quiet street in Kingston. Tom developed an early love of guitars and motorcycles from his brother Bobby. When Tom was in fourth grade, he broke his leg trying to rollerskate off the roof. Couch-bound for most of the school year, Bobby lent him a guitar and he learned to play.

When Tom's father gave him a choice between a pony and a mini-bike, Tom chose the mini-bike - his "ticket to freedom." After the mini-bike, it was a Honda XR 75 that Tom rode to his earliest guitar gigs as a teenager. After graduating from Silver Lake High School in 1981, he worked in the cranberry bogs or retail jobs and was part of the music scene by night.

Tom was briefly the guitarist for GG Allin, quitting after three chaotic and violent shows with "the rock and roll terrorist." In the early 90s, he almost got his big break as guitarist and vocalist for the band Mantis. As the story goes, they bribed a Boston DJ with "an eight-ball and a hooker" to put their song on the radio. Before they knew it, they were dubbed the number-one local band in Boston, signing a contract to tour with Aerosmith and Guns N' Roses, and hanging out with Ringo Starr. It went sideways and Mantis was replaced by Four Non Blondes on the 1993 "Get a Grip" tour.

The rest of Tom's music career was focused on local gigs, playing guitar in the rock bands Inside Straight, Small World, Spoiled Rotten, Rooster, Emerald City, and Full Circle. He loved the camaraderie and joy of making music with friends, without the complications and pressures of making it big. By day, he became a talented and versatile heavy equipment operator, joining the International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE) Local 4 in 2000.

As Tom's music career evolved, so did his membership in motorcycle clubs, starting with the Hawgs in 1991 and then the Red Emeralds in 2009, where he was known as "TomAss." His bike of choice was a Harley-Davidson Fat Boy painted with flames and the club's name. Tom loved to party and he could have a great time wherever he was. Friends say he was one of the nicest guys they ever met - a good guy even when he was acting tough.

Tom met the love of his life Trish Mayer in 1990, and they were together for 32 years before Trish passed away from cancer in 2022. They built a beautiful home together on land passed down from Tom's Italian grandfather. Tom and Trish both loved to ride motorcycles, and they took a long-distance trip almost every year. When it came to animals, they were polar opposites: Tom loved them, Trish didn't. They compromised on outdoor animals - chickens and goats.

Tom had just finished his memoir, "Born to Be Wild: The History of Thomas (TomAss) Nava," when he passed away. The book will be released in August. He had planned to do a signing at a local Barnes and Noble.

Tom was preceded in death by his beloved wife Trish, his parents and his brothers, George and Bobby. He is survived by his children Herb Mayer and Jennifer (Trae) Minicucci, his grandchildren Glenn Mayer, Shae, Nick and Madison Minicucci, his sister Betty-Jo (Bruce) Rohr, his niece and nephew Rachel and David Rohr, and many friends. The Red Emeralds will host a celebration of Tom's life on August 23 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m at the Hilltop Athletic Association Pavilion in Kingston.

Tom always had a voracious love of life, even when his treatment forced him to stop singing and playing guitar. He didn't make it to the rodeo, but he wasn't afraid to die trying. We will miss him.

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Earlier today

Nancy Cone posted to the memorial.

Earlier today

Jodie Prifti posted to the memorial.

July 21, 2025

Richie G posted to the memorial.

9 Entries

Nancy Cone

Earlier today

My condolences to the entire family. Tom was a kind and fun man. He will be missed. Rest in Peace Tom.

Jodie Prifti

Earlier today

Forever in my thoughts, I'll always remember the flowers you sent to me while I was very sick in the hospital. God bless you and go on your journey now. Ill miss you.

Richie G

July 21, 2025

May you ride hard fast and loud with the Angels above my Brother. I will cherish the good times we had riding, the joking,laughing and awesome times we had at Full Circle gigs, out and about together, bike runs, and that Heart of Gold. May God bless you Tommy...
Love always TomAss
Richie

Brice

July 21, 2025

I miss you and love you Brother!! Ride Free!!

Maureen Galligan

July 20, 2025

Full Circle. Many memories, best fun jamming with Tommy....

Jennifer Alukonis

July 20, 2025

In the short time I knew Tommy I especially loved his ambition and free spirited nature. He was well rounded and down to earth. He was especially proud of the book he was working on publishing. God bless

Peggy Montagano

July 20, 2025

Tomass thanks for all my memories. Kind ,caring talented,generous just all around Gooda Guy...Love you

Nick DelPrete

July 20, 2025

I will miss you brother, but I know you are in a better place. You will be rocking with the best that ever was now.

Sean Galligan

July 18, 2025

Gonna miss ya Tom, Thank you for the good times

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Earlier today

Nancy Cone posted to the memorial.

Earlier today

Jodie Prifti posted to the memorial.

July 21, 2025

Richie G posted to the memorial.