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Thomas O'Shaughnessy Obituary
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Memorial Events
for Thomas O'Shaughnessy
Aug
8
Aug
8
Funeral services provided by:
Toft Funeral Home & Crematory, Sandusky Chapel2001 Columbus Avenue, Sandusky, OH 44870
Memories and Condolences
for Thomas O'Shaughnessy
Sponsored by Toft Funeral Home & Crematory, Sandusky Chapel.
Dave Buckingham
August 7, 2025
In celebration of Mr. O:
Tom O´Shaughnessy (aka Mr. O), Mr. Kustec (aka Mr. K) and the Perkins Band program made a significant, lasting, positive impact on my life. I am forever grateful for the opportunity to have been a part of the Perkins MS and HS Bands.
Growing up, I had a few years of "mother mandated" piano lessons and a brief, unenjoyable attempt at playing saxophone. My family then moved to Sandusky, and I started 7th Grade at Briar Middle School (Perkins).
As an 8th grader, I was searching for a more enjoyable way to fulfill my "compulsory arts course requirements." I went to see Mr. O during his prep time and asked if I could join the band. He was reluctant at first. Later, as a band director myself, I came to understand why he was reluctant. Few students invest the time and effort needed to close the skills gap.
Mr. O said the band program "could use more brass players," so, he´d give me a shot. He spent about an hour after school introducing me to the trombone, French horn and trumpet. From the very start, he was fun to work with...positive, energetic, humorous and encouraging. At the end of the session, he recommended trumpet. That night, my mom and I bought a used King trumpet at the pawn shop run by Eric Hecht´s family (I wasn´t messing around). Mr. O gave me one-on-one lessons to get me up to speed. This was an incredibly generous and selfless investment of his time. Mr. O had such a big, kind, caring heart.
Mr. O and Mr. K helped me prepare repertoire and make tapes (remember those?) to audition for district band and all-state band. They both drove hours to the performances of those groups to support me. Their support and appreciation meant a lot to me. It helped me understand and appreciate my personal own value. I still remember Mr. O´s enthusiastic post-concert bear hugs.
With music, there´s a lot of accountability. Most people don´t want to go to a concert where only 50% of the notes are correct. I remember a time in Concert Band where I got a little too excited. At the end of the musical phrase, Mr. O said "Dave...there´s NO 50-YARD LINE in here..." He had a gift using humor to get the message across in a positive, disarming way.
My time in the Perkins band taught me a lot of things: responsibility, discipline, dedication, pushing yourself and others to be the best, and sacrifice (like putting metal on your lips in subzero temperatures). The greatest gift was learning what it means to be a part of something much bigger than you, and what it feels like to create something special as a group that´s just not possible as individuals.
Thanks to Mr. O and Mr. K´s influence, and the love of music they cultivated in me, I taught band to students in grades 5-12 for seven years (oh, the stories). My colleagues and I worked hard to improve and enhance our students and the program. I passed on many of the same lessons and values instilled in me in the by Mr. O and Mr. K. My appreciation for that teaching tandem increased, because, if you´re invested in the students and success of your program, teaching band is a ton of time and work. It is often exhausting.
My career has evolved a few times. As my roles have shifted, my desire to help others learn and grow remains. I endeavor to make a positive difference, just like Mr. O and Mr. K.
Here are some of the band inspired values that show up in my daily life:
-You can do just about anything if you commit to it.
-We all have gifts we can use to benefit others.
-All of us need other people to support us, encourage us, and help us develop.
-Life is about opportunities. Create them for others. Create them for yourself. Lean into as many as you can.
-Believe in people. It brings me some of my greatest moments of joy and pain, and I still believe.
Thank you, Mr. O, for everything you gave to those around you.
I´ll be thinking of you while I watch DCI Finals. You´re the one who introduced me to drum corps...
Dave Buckingham
St. George, UT
Christine Norcross
August 6, 2025
RIP Mr. O. Condolences to your family from the Norcross (Zac) family
Sylvia Gembka
August 5, 2025
Tom was our neighbor and friend for several years .He was also the band director at Perkins High School w hen our children , Julie and Edward, III were in band. We are sorry for your loss of Tom. Sincerely, Sylvia Gembka
Jason Simmons and Family
August 5, 2025
Mr. O was a great band teacher and allowed kids to express themselves through music. I had him for most of my band years in school. Since he was giving his best each day, I tried to do the same. Thank you Mr. O for letting me play football AND play in the band, and challenge myself in music. Our condolences to his family and may his memories be a blessing.
Frederick Melick
August 4, 2025
Ryan and Family: You have my deepest sympathy on the passing of your father. All my girls enjoyed the music programs at Perkins with your dad and H dennis and all the music staff.
Meridith Gallogly (Teagarden)
August 4, 2025
Our family extends our love and sympathy to Mr. O'Shaughnessy, his kids, and family. He will be deeply missed and is very loved in the Perkins family. A wonderful teacher with an unmistakable passion for music. <3 Sincerely, The Teagarden Family- Susan, Becky, and Meridith
Dan O
August 4, 2025
Perkins Legend and a good man.
Mike & Donna (Albert) Kastor
August 4, 2025
Our family would like to share our condolences We have great band memories thanks to Mr. "O" and Mr. Kustec
Mike, Donna and Kara Kastor
Jon and Jenna (Kastor) Conti
Sherri Johnson
August 3, 2025
Sherri Johnson stand up!
I am standing up!
Best band director ever. I always looked back at that time with fond memories.
So sorry for your loss. My condolences to your family.
Erica Loroff (Radatz)
August 3, 2025
Mr. O´Shaughnessy touched countless lives through his passion for music and unwavering dedication to his students. I´m forever grateful for the impact he made on my life, both in and out of the band room. After all, Mick and I met in band our freshman year during the Disney in the Parks trip, and the rest is history. In his honor, the Loroff family has made a donation to the Ohio Foundation for Music Education. Thank you, Mr. O, for the kindness, joy, and love you shared so freely. You will be deeply missed. I know the angels greeted you with trumpets when you arrived.
David E. Weaver
August 2, 2025
My sincerest condolences to friends and family of Mr O. He was an excellent teacher and fellow trumpet player. He will be greatly missed.
Gina Deno
August 2, 2025
Mr. "O" inspired so many young minds and opened doorways of creativity, learning, and opportunity, all in a classroom setting I do not think a single one of his students will ever forget. And it was not just the music he taught. It was tradition, teamwork, friendship, competition, and goals, aside with personal achievement and confidence. Thank you for eight years of greatness in school and a lifetime of skill and memories.
Benjamyn Armstrong
August 2, 2025
My sincere condolences,
Mr O was my middle school band director before his retirement going into my freshman year, marching band. I remember he still came over to band camp & other band events. He definitely contributed, greatly, to the passion and excellence of Perkins Band. May he rest in peace.
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