590 MIGHTY MEMIOERY #86

TOMMY WOODS LAID TO REST  

 

This morning and into the afternoon people gathered to say a final “see ya” to Tommy Woods. The majestic church of St. Nicholas was filled with relatives, townspeople, media folk and everyone whose lives Tom touched.

Tom’s faith and love of country was on full display as well as his love of family. But there was something stronger at work.

Allow me a personal observation. I got there at 9am and gave my condolences and memories to his family. I realized that I had another place to be after that and left the church. I had planned to stay for the Mass but there was a place I was needed.

I made short work of the situation and rushed back to stay for the funeral Mass. In my head as I drove to the church for the second Upon my arrival, a woman stopped me in the parking lot and asked if I was David Yonki. I said yes and she said she saw my license plate. It turns out she was Joan Doniger the daughter of the late Jack Doniger. When we got inside the church, there was Judy Shaver the widow of Joey standing there.

Coincidence?  Maybe.

The Mass was beautiful and at the end Tom’s daughter Bobbie observed “My dad could really work a room”. And this room was one he’d approve of.

Then his son Tom Junior got up and spoke about his father’s belief that one should just “:be there”.

Be there!

I can’t help but think that as I drove back, Tom was nudging me spiritually saying, “be there, you don’t want to miss this one!”

I sat with Judy and Joan and reflected on why so many people loved Tom. Turning around after the military service final blessing, I saw the many faces who knowingly or not, followed the two simple words that summed up Tom’s 86 ½ years on this earth.

BE THERE!

And we were!  

 

590 MIGHTY MEMORY #87

 

TOMMY

WOODS

 

Broadcast legend Tommy Woods passed away at the age of 86.  Woods was one of the members of the heritage WARM Sensational Seven and was a mainstay in the halcyon days of WARM Radio. At The Mighty 590 Tom did evenings and afternoon drive before moving on to the Mutual Broadcasting System in the late 60s. He was in D.C. during historical events like the Vietnam War ending and Watergate. When Tom returned t the area, he became the voice of WBRE TV Eyewitness News and was a sought-after announcer for commercial broadcast advertising.

As an avid listener of WARM Radio, I never thought I’d become friends with him. Our paths first crossed when I was working at the United Way of Wyoming Valley in the Communications Department. Through the years we’d commiserate about how his industry changed. Most recently Tom and his wife Fran would stop by our Health Department table at the Farmer’s Market. In July of 2023, I was fortunate to moderate a 65th WARM Radio anniversary spearheaded by Richard Yelen at a packed event at the Friedman Jewish Community Center. Our last conversation was on Good Friday as we gabbed on the phone about life.

Life. 

Tom had one that was jam packed with a career that gave him access top stars, political figures, and regular folks. He was comfortable with all of them. With Tom Woods, after you finished a conversation, your day just became better.

It is rare when that voice on the radio from years ago entered your adult life as a contemporary but also as a friend. For those of us who had that opportunity, to be Tom's friend, we were truly blessed.

 

RIP Tom.

Tom and I at Friedman JCC/WVIA TV remembrance of WARM's 65th birthday in July of 2023.

  Tom in 1967 on the top of the coveted and fabled WARM survey sheet. 

When Mickey Mantle came to town at The Station in Wilkes-Barre, Tom was on his right. 

In WARMland Remembered Tom talked about the day President Kennedy was assassinated and how WARM responded. 

Tom and his wife Fran could be found quite often at Wegman's having a bagerl and coffee on Sunday mornings and always made a stop at the Wilkes-Barre Farmer's Market.

Tom was inducted into the Luzerne County Hall of Fame in 2023 with Bobby Day, Bill Stuart,  and the late George Gilbert, Ron Allen, Terry McNulty and Joey Shaver. 

 

 

590 MIGHTY MEMORY #88

 

LUZERNE COUNTY ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT HALL OF FAME NAMES “LEGENDS OF WARM-LAND" IN ITS 2024 INDUCTION CLASS

It was a big night for the golden age employees of WARM, the Mighty 590 as members of the 5,000 watt powerhouse station were inducted into the County Entertainment and Arts Hall of Fame.

The attendees who received the award were representative of the WARM original Sensational 7 as well as those hundreds’ of talented deejays and news people who followed i8n their footsteps.

 

Receiving the award was Bobby Day who keeps the WARM flame burning with his online radio show and Tommy Woods who At the Age of 86 is the last surviving member of the WARM jocks of the early 60s.

Also attending was Judi Shaver the widow and son of Joey Shaver and Marie and Louise (maiden names) Schumacher of the late George “Double G” Gilbert.    

 Legends of WARMland — The innovative disc jockeys who helped build WARM radio into a national powerhouse. Their collective knack for promotional broadcasting and ear for musical talent brought a cultural excitement to the region during the 1960s. Inductees are Tom Woods, Harry West, Joey Shaver, Len Woloson, Don Stevens, Ron Allen, Bill Stuart, Terry McNulty, George Gilbert, and Bobby Day.

590 MIGHTY MEMORY #89

 WARM 65th ANNIVERSARY AT JCC A HUGE SUCCESS 

Thursday night on July 13th, 200 people gathered to witness the celebration of WARM Radio. The film WARMland Remembered was first shown, then a panel discussion featuring Tommy Woods, Bobby Day, Mike Stevens, Phil Condron, Rob Neyhard and Richard Briggs answered questions from moderator David Yonki as well as audience members. Here are a few photos.

The panel, Stevens, Woods, Yonki, Briggs, Neyhard and Condron. 

Tommy Woods having a word with us. 

Introducing the panel with WBRE TV's Tony Ingy capturing it all. 

Susan Nerbecki and Karel Zurbis, the Gosiewski sister zeroing in on a point. 

Here's coverage from WBRE TV 

(9) Facebook (click to hear and see whole news story then full interview with Bobby Day as well as a few introductions).

590 MIGHTY MEMORY #90

 WARM 65th ANNIVERSARY JULY 13th 

Here's a link to the  Times Leader story written by Bill O'Boyle. O' Boyle focuses on the WARM news department. 

WARM’s 65th anniversary will be celebrated July 13 at Friedman JCC | Times Leader

 

 

To make reservations call the Jewish Community Center at 570 824 4646 or go to wvia.org/events

590 MIGHTY MEMORY #91

 WARM 65TH CELEBRATION AT JCC JULY 13TH