Thomas John “Tom” Moonan, 53, of Rome, NY, passed away peacefully on Saturday morning, January 25, 2020 at Hildebrandt Hospice Care Center in Rochester, NY. He was surrounded by his beloved daughter and son-in-law at the time of his passing.
Tom was born on July 13, 1966 to the late William J. Moonan and Margaret Ingalsbe Moonan in Rome NY. He was “baby #6” of their 7 children and welcomed by his brothers and sisters with love and joy that would become inherent in his own outward disposition toward everyone who he came in contact with throughout his life. Tom was known for his sense of humor; he loved to find comedy in a situation and make people laugh. His gentle kindness and genuine decency were appreciated by loyal piano clients and through both his music and piano tuning careers he formed many long, deep friendships.
Tom was a self taught and gifted blues & rock drummer who enjoyed a long career playing with many bands, including Boston, playing on their album Corporate America which has sold over half a million copies. He toured nationally & internationally for many years with Fran Cosmo, former lead singer of BOSTON. The band head lined major live concerts with Foreigner, REO Speed Wagon, Dennis DeYoung of Styx, The Alan Parsons Project, John Waite, Barry Goudreau, The little River Band, Foghat, the Village People, Bobby Kimball of Toto, John Ford Coley, Lou Gramm, Nazareth, The Kingsmen, Edgar Winter, Blue Oyster Cult, Steve Augeri of Journey, and Starship to name a few. Tom played with Midnite Mike and the Big Notes for many years, opening for BB King at the Stanley Theatre as well as performed at Woodstock ’99.
Tom was also a skilled piano tuner and technician, apprenticing with his father in Bill Moonan’s Piano Service and attaining the highest category as a Master tuner/technician registered with the Piano Technician’s Guild. His tuning proficiency became acclaimed and sought after by Grammy winning artists who performed in the area including Neil Sedaka, Harry Connick Jr., Chuck Mangione, Jane Monheit, Aretha Franklin, and Natalie Cole among dozens of other professional artists, and he received a personal thank you note for his piano tuning artistry from Paul Anka. Additionally, many great local artists relied on his stellar work in the specialized field including special friend Rick Montalbono of Rome, the Syracuse Symphony Orchestra, and many school district music departments across Central New York. He also served as piano technician on two studio recordings of critically acclaimed award-winning classical pianist Cynthia Raim.
Tom’s most prized accomplishment in life was the incredible bond and relationship he shared with his daughter, Tayler, along with her husband Ryan and their son Grant Thomas, born just a year ago. Their loving devotion and dedication to each other was a most special thing to behold.
Tom is survived by his daughter Tayler R. Kinney (Ryan) and grandson Grant T. Kinney of Pittsford, NY, mother Margaret Moonan of Rome, sisters: Carolyn (Paul) Destito of Hobe Sound, Florida; Diane (Edward )Taverni of Oswego, NY; Mary (Martin) Crandall of Bemus Point, NY; brothers: William Moonan(Wendy) of Old Saybrook, CT.; David Moonan (Alison Eldredge) of New Zealand; Brian Moonan (Pamela) of Rome, 18 nieces and nephews, 3 great nieces, 1 great nephew, several aunts and many cousins, ex wife Anita Domenico of New Orleans and step daughter Danielle Bertrand of Utica.
A Memorial Service is planned for Saturday, Feb. 1, 2020 to take place at 11:30 AM followed by a Celebration of Life from 12:30-3:00 PM, both at Lake Delta Inn, 8524 Fish Hatchery Road, Rome NY.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that any contributions be made in honor of Tom directly to the Hildebrandt Hospice Center, 2652 Ridgeway Ave, Rochester, NY 14626.