Tom Tworek

Tom Tworek passed away at the VA Hospital in Palo Alto on Wednesday, November 21, 2007 after a short battle with cancer. Tom was preceded in death by his parents, George J. Tworek, and Emmie M. Tworek. He is survived by his sister Terry and brother-in-law Jim Patterson of Roswell, New Mexico.

Tom was born October 13, 1948 in Sapporo, Japan on the Island of Hokkaido. Being a military family, they also spent time in Germany and in between tours, spent time in Salinas, Ca.

Tom joined the Navy in 1968, was on the Aircraft Carrier Intrepid and saw combat in Vietnam. After leaving the Navy, Tom landed in Maryland at St. Mary's college where he studied Photography. It was in Maryland that he also found his love for Bluegrass music. Around 1991 he finally settled in Santa Cruz. Tom had a blinding smile and sparkling blue eyes that no one could resist. He could go anywhere and make new friends who would stay connected with him for life. He was the official photographer at all the Bluegrass festivals, taking pictures of everyone on stage and then coming back the next day to hand out prints of the pictures he had taken. He never took money; he did it to see the joy in the faces of those he photographed. Several of his pictures of Bluegrass musicians have been published in books and CD covers. He played stand-up bass and guitar and loved to get up on stage and play along with everyone. When Tom realized his days were numbered, he gave his most valuable instrument, his big Martin guitar, to a friend of his who is a promising young female artist in Nashville. He was also known for his photographs of beautiful landscapes, birds and sea animals. His favorite place to photograph was Death Valley and at his request, his ashes will be spread there this spring. Tom did not have an easy life after Vietnam but was finally able to overcome his demons through recovery and a huge group of recovery friends. Tom had four tribes of friends: recovery, photography, Bluegrass and Santa Cruz. Over the last few months many met each other for the first time. Unknowingly, Tom brought groups of strangers together only to have new friendships form that will carry on in his memory. Tom's Memorial Service will start at 2 pm on Sunday, January 13, 2008 at Unity Palo Alto Community Church, 3391 Middlefield Road Palo Alto, CA 94306-3049 650-494-7222. For more info about the service or Tom's Memorial Fund, call Ruth Cirillo 831 688-6311.