If you have lived in Charlottesville long enough, you have probably crossed paths with Tommy P.  You may have seen him walking around town with his ever-present backpack on his shoulder.  Perhaps you’ve exchanged pleasantries with him on the Corner.  If you’ve volunteered at the PACEM Men’s Shelter, which Tommy called home the last four winters, you and he may have played a game of cards together.  (To trigger your memory, Eric Kelley has a wonderful photo of Tommy on his blog — click here.)  He was a kind and gentle soul, and this past Sunday night, Tommy died in his sleep. 

St. Paul’s Memorial Church (1700 University Ave.) has generously agreed to host a service of remembrance and appreciation for Tommy next Tuesday, Oct. 28, at 10:00am.  Please join us if you have memories of Tommy to share, or if you simply wish to pay your last respects.  (For directions and parking info., click here:  http://www.stpaulsmemorialchurch.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=21&Itemid=90)

Tommy had a lot of people who cared for him, yet Tommy died homeless.  There are many more Tommys out there on the streets of Charlottesville.  In honor of Tommy, let us redouble our efforts to make sure that none of them die homeless too.