Thomas Prue Sr.

Played Baseball in the 60's for Nel and Tom in Middlefield. Two of the best coaches I have had the pleasure of playing for in my lifetime ..

Tom, just learned of your Dad's passing. I'm so sorry to hear about this. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Take care.

At all the festivals we picked at, it was always fun to be around you and your "crew".. You are greatly missed and will never be forgotten.

Michele and Tony and family, Our heartfelt sympathy goes out to all of you at this time. Please know you are in our thoughts and prayers at this sad time. Tina and Ray

coach prue was my coach in the early 70 s was a great coach and a great man. coach roger pearl-smsa football

Nan, you and the family have our prayers during this time of loss. May God, through His infinite grace, give you peace. Much love, Don and Mary Ripple, (formerly) Orange Blossom Bluegrass, Florida.

Tom was in icon at New England bluegrass music festivals. His late night jams were always fun. You learned a lot with Tom. I remember him scowling at me at one of his jams when I play a 2 minor 7 chord. He just stopped everything, looked at me from behind the Coleman lantern and asked" "Was that a minor chord?" I admitted it was and he scrunched up his face in clear distate. "Just play the 4 chord next time," he said and there was humor and love in it. And he was right. Tom's jams attracted lots of folks who were just learning to play, and the 4 chord worked just fine under his tarp.

At one point when Traver Hollow was still young I was over at Tom's site just singing and picking among a few of us, and he stopped me. "You're singing too loud," he said. "I know what you're trying to do, but it isn't about being loud. Just be you," he said, "Just sing like you." I don't think a young musican could have received better guidance.

I enjoyed being at Tom's jams about as much as anything I did in Bluegrass music. He took a liking to me and had an open, ever-ready smile that I will miss.

Heartfelt condolences to Nan and his family.

Patty, I didn't know that Mr. Prue was your stepdad! I used to skate at Wesleyn Skating Rink and that is where I met Mr. Prue. I have very fond memories of him.
Sorry for your loss. Please tell you mom I'm thinking about her.
Dianne (DeCrosta) Cannata

Tom, Rosanne, your spouses and children...My sincere sympathy to all of you for your loss.

Dearest Rosie, Ted, and family,

May your dad rest in sweet peace with the angels forever.

thank u mr prue for serving the usa u and all the ww2 vets r my heros

Rosie and Tom, knowing your Dad is with my Mom and so many other wonderful people is the peace we have to share. Thank God for Angels. Love U KAREN CURLEY

I played Middlefeid midget football and was coached by Tom and Nel thay worked us hard and we played even harder !!!That work ethic carried me through my life to this day.
Thank you, you will be missed.

Dear Roseanne, Your Dad had a lasting impact on the lives of so many people in his community. I am sure he will be sorely missed and forever remembered. With deepest sympathy and lots of love, Kerrie

R.I.P.

The heavens are surely ringing with bluegrass music. May Tom rest in peace. Our prayers to all his family. Bill and Sydney

To my poppa who I will never forget. We were so lucky to have such a great, well known, accomplished guy as part of our family and we appreciated all the things that you have done for us. He has always been a big part of my life since I was born and never took what I had for granted. One of his greatest qualities among many was his sense of humor. He always made us laugh and never lost that trait. Thanks for all the memories, I am proud to be your grandson. You will always be close to our hearts. It won't be the same without you poppa. Rest in peace. We love you.

Tom was an important figure for me when I was learning to play bluegrass, and he was a huge help to our band Traver Hollow during our formative time in the early '80s. He coached and encouraged us, and even persuaded his brother Bob to bring us down to Florida to the festival hosted by their band Orange Blossom Special. He taught a lot of people about bluegrass, with his own special style. I can still see and hear him playing and singing "Lead Me on the Righteous Pathway."

My condolences to Nan and the family.

I will always have fond memories of Tom & Jen visiting my sister in Hartford and enjoying his music and singing.

Sincerest sympathy to his family.

Florence (Ruffino) Inferrera

My heartfelt wishes to Nan and the rest of Tom's family for peace and consolation. He was a formative and core part of my CT bluegrass experience starting in 79 when I first met him. I learned that if he cussed at me, that was his sign of approval. If he said nothing, then I had more work to do. I'll never forget all he contributed to my musical growth and the vast and endless repertoire of tunes he taught me. Here are two videos I took that include Tom in campsite jams from festivals in 1981 and 1982: http://www.zeleznik-klein.com/mmb/corinth1981/index.html#Corinth1981CampsiteJam.jpg and http://www.zeleznik-klein.com/mmb/tpb1982/index.html#ThomasPt1982CampsiteJam.jpg

Thomas was a great person to know. He was not only a client, he was also a friend. I am very sorry for your loss. God bless.

Tom was definitely a one of a kind; strong willed, determined and loved a good laugh. He was one of the first bluegrass musicians I came to know back in the mid 70's and I was proud to be his friend. Play pretty up there Thom, you're in good company.

Tom Prue, my Poppa, was a wonderful and generous man who gave so much to those around him. His achievements and societal contributions are numerous and are truly something to be proud of, however, what I will miss most are the quiet moments in which we could just sit back and enjoy life together with friends and family.

For those that who knew him as a great bluegrass musician, and for those who have never had the pleasure of watching him play, I was lucky enough to uncover some videos of him playing at some festivals back in the early '80's. I've uploaded two videos to YouTube, and the links can be found below. Please pass the word to friends and family who would enjoy sharing in these memories.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RBKPv7UtLy8&feature=plcp

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sUQ8POEXpQQ

We love and miss you, Poppa.

Tom loved bluegrass music and picking with those who played it well. He enjoyed many songs, i.e. "Rabbit in the Log" with his own version (LOL) The last time we picked he kept insisting we play "Comin' Down From God", now he's with him. Miss you Tom, RIP
David "Jake" Jacobson

My condolences to Nan, Patti, Victor, Justin, and Jordan. Tom was a wonderful man and will certainly be missed. May he rest in peace.

I still use guitar licks that I stole from him! He was a true original! The heavenly Bluegrass Band just got more interesting! R.I.P.

Tom was one of the first and probably the most memorable person we met in the bluegrass community. We loved his curmudgeonly personality and spent many hours pickin' with him. For every song we did, he would say, "I love that song, but hate the way YOU do it!" Typical Tom. We will greatly miss him.

Rosanne,

Although I've never met your father, I now know where your strength and heart comes from. Of course he will be deeply missed but his love and determination will always be with you, giving you strength.

Hope

He will be missed by the entire bluegrass community! We all have our "special" memories of Tom. Mine is dancing with him on New Years Eve! RIP Tom and play well with the "Angel Band"

Mr. Prue taught me how to play the guitar, circa 1965. I was 14 years old. Rest in peace.