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Thomas W. Dawes

Thomas Dawes Obituary

DAWES--Thomas W. Noted musician, composer, and photographer, died on October 13, at age 64, of a stroke following carotid artery surgery at the Cornell Weill Center of New York-Presbyterian hospital. He is survived by his wife of 29 years, Ginny Redington Dawes and his sister, Robin Ducey. He will be remembered and missed by his family and friends for his generosity, loving spirit, and great sense of humor. There will be a celebration of his life at a later date.

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Published by New York Times on Oct. 24, 2007.

Memories and Condolences
for Thomas Dawes

Sponsored by Andrew Sandoval.

21 Entries

Patrick Rondou

January 14, 2021

I’ve recently been watching videos of The Cyrkle and there songs always bring a smile to my face and the memories of growing up and singing along with them in the car.

Dave Fulenwider

November 17, 2012

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

Jodi Cook

June 27, 2010

My deepest sympathy to Tom's family and friends. I JUST thought of him after all these years, when I looked at an Alka-Seltzer label! I was one of his SCUBA instructors in Key West during the mid-70's.

Ken Kudon

August 6, 2009

I saw Tom when he was in a two man singing group playing at Milne School in Albany. As a member of another singing group, Ron and Don, I was impressed with Tom's talent. About two years later, when Tom was attending Lafayette, I met him again. By now he, Don Danneman, Earl Pickens and Jim Maiello had formed the Rondells. Ron and I still performed as Ron and Don. Ron was Don Dannemann's fraternity brother. On many occasions in 1962 and 1963, our groups performed together primarily at fraternity parties. Tom always impressed me not only as a good musician but also as a tireless promoter and great fun to be around. Although I didn't see him again after the Rondells morphed into the Cyrkle, I have fond memories of Tom.

Scott Licamele

July 2, 2009

I wish I had gotten the chance to know Tom more. He was my neighbor in Weston, CT. Your music lives on!

Linda Gabor

May 27, 2009

I met Tom as a young nursing student in Allentown , Pa. He was singing with a group from Lafayette University called "The Ironwood Knights" I subsequently dated another member of the group and remember fondly many days and nights hanging with them at frat parties and coffee houses in the early 60's. Tom introduced me to some of the finer joys of eating- artichokes and caviar and champagne! And one of my biggest regrets in life was not going to the concert in Washington,D.C.when the Cyrkle opened for the Beatles.
Fortunately I got to meet up with him and his wife in South Hampton not too many years ago. I will always remember Tom, but mostly in his very young years as a folk singer!

Robert Andrea

April 19, 2009

Dear Mr. Sandoval,
Thank you so much for keeping this guest book alive. I learned only today of Mr. Dawes passing, as I combed the internet hoping to find a possible Cyrkle reunion. They were one of my favorite bands of the 60s. Turn Down Day is a masterpiece with incredible vocal harmony seldom matched by any group. I have both of the original LPs... unfortunately there was never a 3rd. I am deeply saddened that we have lost such a great lyricist, composer and musician. He will be missed... his music lives on.

andrew sandoval

October 18, 2008

Tom - We are still touched by your voice, your kindness and your art.

Peace be with you.

Dean Clevenger

July 12, 2008

I was saddened to learn of Tom's Death. I have fond memories of the music. My twin brother & I played air guitar in front of the mirror singing the harmonies of Cyrkle songs. We knew the lyrics of the entire 'Neon' album, start to finish! When we were 13, we WERE the Cyrkle, in our minds! Great fun, great memories. Thanks Tom (& other Cyrkle members), for providing the soundtrack to our lives.

Cindy Ritter

April 19, 2008

I only met Tom a couple of times; once as a fan, and once at a party. He was an unforgettable human being, and this world will miss him. I hope his journey into the next life was a gentle one, and I'm sure he's making everyone smile in his new home.

Robert Fellows

April 6, 2008

Tommy, As an old Sigma-nu frat bro. at Lafayette, and a Rhondells groupie, I'm going to miss you more than words can say. God Bless You and Yours!

Bob Fellows, Class of 1965

dave a

March 3, 2008

I am so sorry to hear of his death. I was a HUGE fan and to this day Red Rubber Ball is my favorite song ever. Best wishes to his family. I'm sure he's recording another hit we'll hear in heaven.

andrew sandoval

November 12, 2007

I met Tom ten years ago as a fan of the Cyrkle. He was at first tough to get to know, but as soon as talk turned to record engineering and the work of the Beatles, Beach Boys and Sinatra, we were instantly compatible.

In 2003, Tom recorded a song with me called "He Can Fly," lending his trademark harmonies, bass and guitar work. He was really a remarkable talent; a truly gifted individual.

I feel lucky just to have met him and will always remember what a wonderful person he was. Thank you Tom!

Brute Force

November 7, 2007

Tommy and I go back to approx. 1963 where I met him at the Jersey shore.

Tommy turned me onto Columbia Records and was also responsible for bringing a track I produced to Nat Weiss and therefore to George Harrison. It became an Apple single. Without Tommy, " King of Fuh" ,Apple08, would never have happened.

We wrote a song together, "Why Can't You Give Me What I Want" which he placed on one of the Cyrkle albums. Another song, "There's A Fire In The Fireplace" he also put on a Cyrkle album. That was very generous of him.

We spoke thruout the years. I would call him up, sometimes inquiring about any royalties from the songs...you probably know the answer.

We spoke a couple of times in 2007. I asked him about any hints in musical prodcution because I was and am in production of a musical based upon "King of Fuh".

Tommy, thank you so much for what you did for me. I just don't know if I ever did anything for you.

I am so sad to hear of him passing. Too young to die. I will really miss Tommy. His distinctive singing voice, the cutting timbre of his voice.

My sincerest sympathies go to his family.

Brute Force

Connie Brizzell-Gordon

November 5, 2007

I remember Tom growing up on Bacon Lane and riding the bus to both Milne and Shaker together. Those of us in the neighborhood were close and we had many really good times during those years. Tom always kept us entertained! I was deeply saddened to read of his passing in the Albany Times Union. I am proud to say I knew him "when" as he was such a great success in all he did throughout his lifetime. My deepest sympathy to both Robin and Ginny.

Don Dannemann

November 5, 2007

During part of the Cyrkle years I considered Tom my best friend and credit him with leading the way into commercials.

However we lost touch during our years in the same business in the same city.

Thankfully in recent years we re-connected, including a lot of emails, several dinners and a very memorable Cyrkle reunion.

Tom's passing was really brought home to me the other day when I heard "Red Rubber Ball" on the radio and knew that we could never again sing that song together.

He will truly be missed.

Robert (Buz) Callaghan

October 27, 2007

Tom was one of my oldest friends. I have known him for nearly 50 years. Memories of his antics and accomplishments have cheered me for much of my lifetime. Tom and I were Swimmers together in High School and College. Robin and my wife Laurie (Bucci) were both Cheerleaders at Shaker High School. Ginny and Robin, Laurie and I hope that your sorrow over the loss of Tommy can be overcome by the joy and laughter he has brought to our lives.
Buz and Laurie Callaghan

Michael Losekamp

October 26, 2007

I met and worked with Tom as the keyboardist for the Cyrkle in 1966 through 1967. Although I did not keep in touch (the last time I saw Tom was 1970 or 1971) I remember his great sense of humor and expertise as a vocalist and musician. I still have some of the photos and cards he created from the Cyrkle days and look back with fondness on that time in my life. Tom, you will be missed. I extend my condolences to his family.

Alan Markowitz

October 26, 2007

Tom and I were friends at Milne before he left, and I never saw him after that. Which is all the more remarkable since I remember him particularly well, including the pranks (we loved his pictures). I was pleased to read about his success in popular music (giving me the opportunity to say "I knew him"), and am bowled over to hear of his commercial exploits as well. I am teribly sorry to hear of his loss.

Ruth Brown

October 24, 2007

Tom was a friendly,happy,and gracious human being. His life and his accomplishments enhanced the lives of those who were in his presence. My prayers are with his wife, Ginny.

Al Arioli

October 24, 2007

Tom was so smart, so able, someone you would want to discuss the real stuff with, laugh with, get his thoughts. What a loss. I will feel it always, but I smile too when I think of him. I have so many wonderful memories of him, and so do all my family. Love to you, Ginny.

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