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.